By: Taylor Bowden / Assistant News Director

A national task force aimed at increasing the number of communities with reliable broadband has appointed Stearns County Commissioner Tarryl Clark.

The National Broadband Task is comprised of nearly three dozen government officials from across the country.

Task Force Co-Chair J.D. Clark from Texas said their new task force will examine the intersection of public and private sector efforts to deploy broadband networks and create a blueprint for local governments to help bridge the digital divide.

According to the Stearns County website local governments often face state-imposed limitations to expanding access to broadband connectivity. In 22 states, local governments are restricted from making investments in broadband infrastructure networks. NACo is working to pass federal legislation that would remove those barriers and expand broadband access.