 High-speed internet access is still an issue for many parts of central and northern Minnesota. State Representative Ron Creisa recently authored a bill to help give underserved areas access to broadband internet. The border-to-border broadband bill is seeking $100 million over the next two years to allow cities to partner with broadband providers to have high-speed internet delivered to their area. Creisa says if the bill is approved, it could also help the workforce shortage in rural Minnesota as well. We have a major workforce attraction problem in rural Minnesota where we need to get people back into the rural parts of the state for professional jobs or manufacturing or we just need the workers and they're not going to come when there's no internet accessibility. It really is one of the great equalizers. A hearing has been scheduled for the border-to-border broadband bill and if it is approved it will be voted on by the state senate and state representatives. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.