Governor names county info director to broadband task force

One week after hosting a Job Summit focused on strengthening Minnesota’s infrastructure, Governor Mark Dayton has appointed 15 members to a Governor’s Task Force on Broadband.

Among the 15 state-wide members is Danna MacKenzie, Cook County’s Director of Information Systems.

The task force will be charged with developing policies to promote the expansion of broadband access in Minnesota. Dayton’s stated goal is “border-to-border” high-speed internet and cell phone access throughout Minnesota.

According to the governor, the task force will develop an action plan for identifying and correcting disparities in access and adoption of broadband in all Minnesota communities – urban, rural, and suburban.

Dayton says that action plan will help ensure that residential homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses have access to the technology and information resources they need to thrive in a global economy.

MacKenzie said she was excited about the opportunities her appointment can bring to Cook County.

According to the governor, task force members were chosen to represent a balance of broadband interests, including consumers, business and residential users, educational and health care institutions, traditional telephone and cable companies, wireless providers as well as metro and rural local units of government.
 
The Minnesota Department of Commerce, which houses the state’s Broadband Development Office, will work closely with the task force.