Category: Rural Headlines

EXCERPT: “In 2019, the Legislature passed a slate of laws to reduce fraud in Minnesota’s largest child care subsidy. Now, state lawmakers are considering whether to give new money to the program and raise tuition reimbursement rates for low-income families to meet federal standards. State Sen. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, said changes to the Child Care ...

EXCERPT: “In terms of local government aid, 2019 was a red-letter year that set the stage for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities to push other issues it believes are hampering communities in rural outstate areas — most prominently, a hefty 2020 bonding bill to address a deepening child care crisis and numerous infrastructure projects. ...

EXCERPT: “Cities, industries and some livestock farmers could pay more for water quality permit fees under a proposal by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The MPCA says revenue from the fees has not kept pace with its costs to administer the permits, which cover city and industrial stormwater and wastewater, septic systems and livestock feedlots. Most of ...

EXCERPT: “During the last few legislative sessions, several groups that represent cities in Greater Minnesota unified around a major request: more money for Local Government Aid, the longstanding cost-sharing program that helps cities cover their expenses. That campaign paid off as Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation that boosted the amount of money put into the program ...

EXCERPT: “As expected, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Thursday its new Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) for faster broadband speeds in order to help close the digital divide in rural areas. RDOF will push out up to $20.4 billion in funding over the next 10 years to build and connect gigabit broadband speeds ...

EXCERPT: “As part of an initiative to make high-speed internet more available in rural Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz announced more than $23 million in grant money Tuesday. In total, 41 counties and reservations will benefit from telecoms projects funded by the grant money, which is being matched by local funding. The funds are part of the Department ...

EXCERPT: “Solar panels may harness the sun’s energy in the same way that plants do, but while some rural residents view them as another revenue-enhancing crop, others see them more as weed-like nuisances that threaten their pastoral way of life. Solar projects certainly are growing rapidly throughout the United States, with total installed capacity just shy ...

EXCERPT: “Minnesota is awarding more than $23 million in grants to 30 projects throughout the state to help bring high-quality broadband access to underserved and unserved parts of the state, Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday. ‘Fast, reliable broadband access is a critical economic development tool that improves quality of life and makes businesses in Greater ...

EXCERPT: “Hundreds of gun owners and a couple of dozen gun control advocates packed the Crown Ballroom on Tuesday, Jan. 21, for a hearing on a slate of contentious firearm and public safety proposals. It was the first time members of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee took up the bills. Attendees offered a ...