Meet Bree Maki, MN
April 03, 2025
The Answer to Better Broadband is ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ in Minnesota Long before USF, ARPA, CPF, SLRF, BEAD, and the next sure-to-be acronym’d broadband program, Minnesota was at the forefront of funding broadband connections in rural Minnesota. Minnesota’s “Border to Border” Broadband Infrastructure grant program was established by Minnesota’s state legislature in 2013 with bipartisan support. Ever since, the program has been investing funding in broadband infrastructure, prioritizing unserved and underserved areas. To gain perspective on just how long ago this was, Prince was still alive when Border to Border launched (RIP, Sometimes it Snows in April). Recently, I sat down with Bree Maki, Minnesota’s executive director of the Office of Broadband Development (OBD), to catch up on where Minnesota was with their broadband efforts and the BEAD process. I knew from speaking with her prior, Minnesota has a 2026 statutory goal from the state legislature that established the goal to connect “all Minnesota businesses and homes with access to at least one provider of broadband with download speeds of at least 100 megabits per second and upload speeds of at least 20 megabits per second.”Maki explains that since the acronym parade of post-pandemic broadband funds, Border to Border has been funded with Capital Projects Funding as well as state general funds of nearly $350 million in grants to connect to over 119,000 homes and businesses.The Border to Border Broadband Development Grant Program pays up to 50 percent of the broadband development costs for qualifying projects. Minnesota also launched two additional broadband grant funding programs in 2022: the Lower Population Density Grant Program, which pays up to 75 percent of the broadband development costs for qualifying projects and the Broadband Line Extension Connection Program, which awards grants for the extension of existing broadband infrastructure to nearby unserved locations.Meanwhile, Maki says that state funds along with CPF are currently funding about 120 active projects under construction today. “Border to Border grant programs are still active in construction and deployment.” America… have you Heard? There’s a Brand-New Dance Plan, It’s Called the Bird BEADWith a shot clock that doesn’t run out until October 3 when the state has to submit their final proposal to NTIA, Minnesota’s finish line is a little farther out than many states. Minnesota’s unserved and underserved number is approximately 76,000 BSLs (homes and businesses) that need to be reached with $652 million in BEAD funding.Most recently, Minnesota closed its prequalification portal on March 13, clearing the way for about forty prequalified applicants to apply for BEAD funding. Maki says that this doesn’t mean every one of those that did the prequalification application will apply in the three grant rounds, “Our associations have been vocal on the restraints and concerns around BEAD. We encouraged them to get prequalified. You don't have to apply, but if you don't do the [prequalification], you will not be eligible to apply. Changes to the program may change the program requirements – the new administration is signaling this.” Maki shares that the state launched the portal on March 24 for round one. “Our first round is designed for fiber projects, with applicants having the ability to propose their project areas.” She says that allowing self-selection of BSLs was both a challenge to get approved by NTIA but was really an effort to attract as much interest and applications as possible. Maki calls the ability to select service areas “important because that's how Border to Border has been successful. It allows for public private partnerships because we know providers have done the math. They know their service locations, their capacity.”Minnesota’s priority in round one will be projects proposing fiber. Fiber is important given the state’s goal for 100/20 service to all locations (while BEAD accepts 25/3 for unserved). While she forecasts that her state will not have the funding to get fiber everywhere, I asked her to ‘guesstimate’ how universal connectivity would be delivered to Minnesotans. “Right now, based on a recent independent Cost Data Analysis, we estimate 90 percent will be fiber, 9% satellite, and then fixed wireless would be about 1%.” SKOL! The Minnesota Broadband Office has a Winning Gameplan With round one open, Maki estimates round two will launch in May. She says that “the second round will accept all technologies and unlike round one, the state will retain the right to define project areas.”Round three, would be a ‘clean up’ to reach BSLs still needing connection after the first two rounds. Again, the final proposal is due to the NTIA by October 3. From First Avenue to Red Wing…Rural Minnesotans ask, ‘Take Me With U’“With 10+ years working on connecting locations under our belt, we are often left with the BSLs that are the most expensive and hardest places to serve.”“For states like ours that have prioritized and invested in broadband for many years, what we have left is high cost or extremely high-cost locations to reach,” says Maki. “Other states may have lower costs but here in Minnesota, our number could be closer to ~$30K for many BSLs.”Maki explains that the state’s ‘incredible and engaged’ internet service providers are also made up of people that live and work in rural communities, motivated to bring connectivity to every corner of the state. “These are small rural telcos, cable providers, rural electric co-ops, all working together to connect everyone.” Let’s Go CrazyMaki took the reins of Minnesota’s OBD in the Fall of 2022. This followed her serving in the offices of both Minnesota Senators Smith and Franken where she was the Minnesota Broadband and Telecomm Outreach Director.Today, Maki manages a staff of 15 scattered across the state from her home in southeast Minnesota. “We are able to retain and attract talent from across the state and live in areas and communities that need this reliable infrastructure.” She describes many of her team members as “people in Greater Minnesota communities that understand how a lack of broadband access is a barrier.” As for her team, Maki couldn’t be prouder with her dedicated team, “There’s a joy we have in this office and with our work… our job is universal service.” “To me, broadband feels different than other public service work. Working on this work you can see the results and the impact quickly.”The Replacements… Great Minny Band, Bad BEAD Strategy, or Both? Rather than asking Maki to speculate on ‘what-ifs’ with regards to changes in BEAD, I would refer you to a letter dated March 27 sent to Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce, from her and the Office of Broadband. Excerpts include: As a partner in charge of deploying the funding in Minnesota, the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development wishes to reemphasize our commitment to this important work. Along with other states, Minnesota has completed the foundational work required of the BEAD Program. Congress created a program that gave states the power to create state-specific programs to suit our needs. We respectfully request that NTIA continue to allow states to make choices that will best allow their residents to get online quickly. We request several priorities and modifications that aim to improve program acceleration and efficiency, compliance, and outcomes while maintaining alignment with federal standards……To ensure expedient progress, we respectfully urge you not to make any changes that will slow down the program. Any changes enacted by NTIA should be optional and states should have the flexibility to make the changes they need to be successful in their state. We are confident that the modifications and priorities we are requesting will not only improve Minnesota’s ability to strategically and effectively implement the BEAD Program but also serve as a model for other states seeking similar enhancements. We would be happy to provide any further documentation, data, or support needed for your review.
