BROADBAND GRANT APPLICATION

 As anticipated, there have been numerous applications for the grant money, over 230, for a total of $2.5 billion in requests over 49 states and U.S. territories! 

From NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration):

Due to the high volume of applications, the award process will be highly competitive. As outlined in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, priority will be given to projects that:

1. Provide broadband service to the greatest number of households in an eligible service area;

2, Provide broadband service to rural areas;

3. Are most cost-effective in providing broadband service; or

4. Provide broadband service with a download speed of at least 100Mbps and an upload speed of at least 20Mbps.

Legislation recently passed by the Senate will expand upon the groundwork being laid by this program, according to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

More to come...

A LITTLE BIT OF THIS, A LITTLE BIT OF THAT...

The Town Board recently submitted an application for grant money for fiber optic internet service. This is one of several grants that the Township can apply for. Supervisor Kathleen Kauffman, Clerk Ranee Solis, Ben Blomgren of JTN, and Supervisor Ralph Fredlund have spearheaded this effort. Many hours were spent in a short while to ready the application by the deadline. Supervisor Kauffman has been appointed Authorized Representative, and Supervisor Fredlund has been appointed Grant Administrator. More news on this topic to come...

DID YOU KNOW: At a recent Board meeting it was discovered in speaking with the Deputy sergeant in attendance that if a citizen calls the Sheriff with a complaint and request for an inspection, he/she needs to specifically request a follow-up from the responding Deputy or one will not be provided. Citizens can also request copies of Sheriff reports.

An ACRE Agricultural Sector Townhall was held August 25th in Farmington at the SWCD. Input from farmers/producers at this meeting will be used to draft a plan that is more restrictive than the state regulations. There is also a survey available through the County. Contact Ashley Gallagher at the SWCD: Ashley.Gallagher@CO.DAKOTA.MN.US. 

The goal is to regulate pollutants such as nitrates from ag sources.  Unfortunately, only FOUR people were in attendance! Three of these became aware of this meeting only through a Supervisor forward through the Eureka Clerk to the Commission and the Board. The Board will address this topic at its meeting on Monday, September 13. Visit the Dakota County website and search for "ACRE" for more information. Information is also available via the Board packet accessible on the Township website.

OR https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/EnvironmentWaterResources/Agriculture/Pages/agricultural-chemical-reduction-effort.aspx. 

This effort has implications for ALL citizens in Dakota County.