BringMeTheNews | November 28, 2015
While some Minnesotans joined in the Black Friday shopping frenzy, others took advantage of a different kind of bargain to be had at Minnesota’s state parks.
Lt. Gov. Tina Smith announced earlier this month that entry to all 75 of Minnesota’s state parks would be free on Black Friday, and there were plenty of people willing to take her up on the offer.
Staff at Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul – Minnesota’s most visited park – said that the Thanksgiving snowfall didn’t deter hikers from paying a visit on what was a busier-than-usual Friday.
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Swift County Monitor | November 21, 2015
Swift County and Federated Telephone Cooperative have received the highest award in this year’s latest round of funding for expansion of broadband services in Minnesota. Friday the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that Federated and Swift County had been awarded $4.95 million.
“With grant requests nearly triple the available funding, it’s clear that the need for investment in rural broadband access is significant,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “The $10.58 million available this year is a start, but it’s essential that the Legislature provide sufficient funding next session.”
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Pioneer Press | November 27, 2015
Instead of shopping for deals and weaving through Black Friday crowds, Ryan Dick and Woodbury neighbor Nate Bolyard took their families to a state park.
For families like theirs, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' decision to waive the daily $5 fee at state parks encouraged them to get out that morning.
Lt. Gov. Tina Smith said a day at the park might help people relieve stress, get some exercise and spend time with family.
The state's decision to waive park fees came after outdoor retailer REI said it would be closed for Black Friday. The company's president Jerry Stritzke said in a statement that Black Friday "has gotten out of hand."
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Finance & Commerce | November 20, 2015
More than two dozen greater Minnesota communities will split $11 million in state funding awarded Friday to increase broadband internet access, a move that proponents hail as a key statewide economic development initiative.
The latest round of broadband grants will improve high-speed broadband access for 3,222 households, 786 businesses and nearly 90 other community institutions, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. But it only goes partway toward addressing the need.
“High-speed Internet access is a foundation for economic success everywhere in our state,” Smith said. “It isn’t just nice. It’s necessary.”
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Tuck Today | November 9, 2015
It’s 7:45 a.m. on a Friday in September, and Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith T’84 is already moving at a blistering pace. She’s en route to Bemidji, Minnesota, a northern fishing and forestry town, where she’ll talk to workers and compete in a log-loading contest.
Since assuming the office—her first elected position—in January 2015, Smith has worked with Governor Mark Dayton to redefine and reinvigorate the role. She has spearheaded major public-private partnerships, successfully brokered support for educational programs and work-force development, and, using her business background, led the charge to bring more useful data to legislative decision-making.
Smith never imagined she would run for office. Growing up in a community-minded family in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in which her dad ran for school board and her mom volunteered for the League of Women Voters, Smith always fostered an interest in service.
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Wadena Pioneer Journal | November 30, 2015
West Central Telephone Association was awarded a grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program.
The West Central Telephone Association was awarded $189,525 for a project that will expand their fiber optic infrastructure along the Highway 71 north corridor.
Friday, Nov. 20 at the Blandin Foundation's 12th annual statewide broadband conference, Lt. Governor Tina Smith announced that West Central was among the recipients awarded funds from the Border-to-Border Broadband Infrastructure grant program.
"We need border-to-border broadband Internet access to build an economy that works for all Minnesotans," said Lt. Governor Tina Smith.
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