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County issues letters supporting SEI broadband sale to Midco and Minnesota broadband equity program
Summary
Economic development staff asked the board to approve letters of support for the sale of SEI Broadband (SCI) to Midco as part of the Reconnect grant paperwork and for the state's Minnesota Broadband Equity Access and Development program; commissioners approved both letters.
Pine County commissioners approved two letters of support at the request of the county’s economic development coordinator: one supporting the sale of SEI Broadband (SCI) to Midco and another backing the Minnesota Broadband Equity Access and Development (BEAD) program and the state’s plan for administering federal broadband funds.
Leslie Sauter, the county’s economic development coordinator, told the board SEI Broadband and Midco have been partners in county broadband projects and that Midco indicated it would fulfill existing grant obligations and work with SEI staff to complete projects. Sauter said the Reconnect grant administrator requested a county-level letter confirming local support for the corporate sale as part of grant paperwork; commissioners moved and approved a letter of support.
Sauter also asked for a letter endorsing the state’s BEAD administration plan. She said county participants helped develop the state plan and provided feedback through surveys, and that the county supports the state agency’s approach to administering federal funds. Commissioners approved a separate letter of support for Minnesota’s plan, with staff clarifying the letters are endorsements and do not commit county funds.
The board approved both letters on voice votes and directed staff to send the letters to the appropriate grant administrators.
