Vision 2020 organizers could get a boost from a new state office dedicated to spreading broadband Internet access throughout Minnesota.

The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a jobs, commerce and housing bill last week which would provide $1 million for a new Office of Broadband Redevelopment over the next two years, to encourage high-end broadband infrastructure throughout the state. Proponents of broadband access say the increased data speeds would provide an economic, medical and academic boost to communities.

Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, called the measure necessary for Minnesota to keep the state economically viable.

“This is the new infrastructure, and if we fall behind on that, we’re going to lose out,” she said.

The new office isn’t secure for this year, as a senate Finance Committee heard a similar bill without a provision for the Office of Broadband Development Friday. Poppe said the bills will likely come together through a joint committee, and the Office of Broadband Development could still be created in 2013.

The measure comes as Vision 2020’s Community-Wide Technology committee plans a feasibility study to put high-speed broadband fiber throughout Austin, among other initiatives.

Laura Helle, director of vision creation for Vision 2020, and Austin Utilities executive director Mark Nibaur spoke at a legislative meeting in Austin last month with Poppe and Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, about the increasing need for high-speed Internet access. Helle said the legislative support for broadband access is encouraging to local volunteers.

“We certainly feel it’s a large part of economic development,” she said.

The committee is researching similar projects done by other communities, as well as consulting with experts on how best to get broadband to Austin.