Quick Summary
Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development (OBD) has released its draft Digital Opportunity Plan. The comment period for the plan is now open, and will close September 29. Listening sessions are scheduled in 16 locations across Minnesota, and virtually. An online comment form is also available. Once finalized, the plan will guide the investment of $20 million.
Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development (OBD) has drafted a Digital Opportunity Plan that will guide the state in investing around $20 million to expand digital inclusion for all Minnesotans through access to the internet, access to devices, and digital skills training. It has been my pleasure to pepper Minnesota’s plan with library tidbits.
The draft plan was made available on OBD’s Digital Opportunity webpage beginning August 21. The public comment period closes September 29.
I have two invitations for you:
- Join OBD on the road! Or on Zoom! You can help shape this plan by participating in a Digital Opportunity Listening Session, happening in 16 locations throughout the state, plus two virtual sessions. These sessions are free and open to all. Please see below for dates, times, locations, and a registration link. Please share this widely.
- Read the plan (or skim the highlights), then send us comments in writing. Given the essential role libraries have played and will continue to play in digital opportunity, OBD would be most appreciative of any feedback you can provide.
Many, many thanks to Minitex for co-hosting the virtual listening session on September 14. And pre-emptive thank-yous to Dakota County Library – Wentworth Branch, Fergus Falls Public Library, Hennepin County Library – North Regional Branch, Marshall-Lyon County Library, Nobles County Library, Two Harbors Public Library, and Willmar Public Library, whose meeting rooms we will be using during our statewide tour (I promise we’ll tidy up after ourselves).
Thank you!
Digital Opportunity Listening Sessions
- August 29 - Willmar - 1:00pm-3:00pm - Register
- August 30 - Marshall - 1:00pm-3:00pm - Register
- August 31 - Worthington - 12:00pm-2:00pm - Register
- September 5 - Saint Paul - 1:00pm-3:00pm - Register
- September 6 - Winona - 12:00pm-2:00pm - Register
- September 6 - Rochester - 3:30pm-5:30pm - Register
- September 7 - Faribault - 9:30am-11:30am - Register
- September 7 - Mankato - 1:30pm-3:30pm - Register
- September 12 - Crookston - 2:00pm-4:00pm - Register
- September 13 - Fergus Falls - 2:00pm-4:00pm - Register
- September 14 - Virtual - 12:00pm-1:30pm - Register
- September 18 - Hinckley - 2:30pm-4:30pm - Register
- September 19 - Two Harbors - 2:00pm-4:00pm - Register
- September 20 - Deer River - 6:00pm-8:00pm - Register
- September 21 - Minneapolis - 1:00pm-3:00pm - Register
- September 26 - International Falls - 6:30pm-8:30pm - Register
- September 27 - Bemidji - 10:00am-12:00pm - Register
- September 27 - Virtual - 2:00pm-3:30pm - Register
