BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement A2211332 with the City of Minneapolis to establish a Digital Equity Collaborative during the period August 1, 2022 through December 31, 2025, with a total estimated receivable amount of $2,000,000, be approved, that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement and any associated documents on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County serve as fiscal agent for a Digital Equity Collaborative focused on increasing access to broadband and eliminating digital barriers experienced by economically disadvantaged residents of the City; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Hennepin County Office of Broadband & Digital Inclusion be authorized to increase its staff complement by 2.0 Full Time Equivalents (FTE); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued commitment by Hennepin County for this program when funds are no longer available.

Hennepin County’s Office of Broadband & Digital Inclusion is working closely with communities throughout the county to ensure access to technology and build digital equity. The City of Minneapolis desires to financially support these efforts within the city by contributing up to $2 million, payable on a reimbursement basis, through a Digital Equity Collaborative comprised of Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Public Schools.

The City of Minneapolis has as many as 50,000 households without access to high quality internet services. Available data indicate that households of color are far more likely to be unserved by broadband and other home technology. A significant portion of the Hennepin County residents who lack adequate internet access or are otherwise impacted by the digital divide live in Minneapolis. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for all households to have high quality internet services to access education, employment, health care and other services. In July 2021, as part of its pandemic response, the Hennepin County Board established the Office of Broadband and Digital Inclusion (OBDI) to lead its digital equity efforts. OBDI plans to fully expend this allocation through its strategies around fiber infrastructure, internet safety, digital navigation, devices distribution, among others. With increased funding, OBDI can expand capacity to better meet needs in the City of Minneapolis and allow the City to financially participate in projects within Minneapolis.

Current Request: This request is for the approval of Agreement A2211332 with City of Minneapolis to accept digital equity funding for the period August 1, 2022 through December 31, 2025 with an estimated receivable amount of $2,000,000; and to authorize the Hennepin County Office of Broadband & Digital Inclusion to increase its staff complement by 2.0 Full Time Equivalents (FTE).

Impact/Outcomes: Approval of this request will result in increased broadband access among Minneapolis residents who are low income, and increased support for residents in building digital skills and developing online safety best practices.

Disparities Reduction Impact: Communities of color and residents with low incomes are disproportionally affected by the digital divide and are less likely to have access to a home internet connection. In Hennepin County, according to American Community Survey data, American Indian and Alaska Native are 4.25 times more likely not to have home internet than White households; Hispanic, Latino, Black or African American are 3.75 times more likely.