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Blandin Foundation Broadband Initiatives

Blandin Foundation Broadband Initiatives. Why Broadband?. Communities must be connected to maintain vitality and economic competiveness People must be connected to fully participate in the community. Access denied = opportunity denied. Approach. Policy via Blandin Broadband Strategy Board

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Blandin Foundation Broadband Initiatives

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  1. Blandin Foundation Broadband Initiatives

  2. Why Broadband? • Communities must be connected to maintain vitality and economic competiveness • People must be connected to fully participate in the community. • Access denied = opportunity denied

  3. Approach • Policy via Blandin Broadband Strategy Board • Vision • Principles • Convening • On the Ground Resource • Community Technical Assistance • Online tools and ongoing communications • Project Funding • Planning • Utilization • Leadership • Successful ARRA Broadband Stimulus Application with multiple state partners

  4. Policy Outcomes 2006 Vision Principles Ubiquity Symmetry Affordable Competition World Class Collaboration Neutrality Interoperability • To ensure a high quality of life and a globally competitive future for its citizens, businesses and communities, Minnesota is committed to making the necessary investments to become a world leader in the universal deployment and use of ultra high speed next generation broadband.

  5. On the Ground Resource Evolution • Pilot Project – MN Broadband Promotion Project • 15 communities assisted via technical assistance to implement broadband promotion and market development projects - completed • Get Broadband Program • 28 communities assisted via technical assistance and $15,000 seed grants to implement broadband promotion projects - completed • Community Broadband Resources Program • Ongoing program that provides up to 32 hours of technical assistance to assist communities with a flexible menu of assistance

  6. Grant Programs • LightSpeed Grant Program • Provides funding of up to $50,000 for matching grants for broadband application implementation for tele-health, distance education, e-government focusing on applications that reach the home. • Examples include: tele-pharmacy, small business networking, enhanced k12 videoconferencing • Robust Network Feasibility Fund • Provides funding to assist communities analyze alternatives for building high speed networks. Provides $25,000 for one community or up to $40,000 for multi-community or countywide efforts. • Five of six funded studies now have funding in place

  7. MN Intelligent Rural Communities Project A $4.8 million dollar grant to drive broadband adoption and use in greater Minnesota using the Intelligent Community economic development framework

  8. KNOWLEDGE WORKFORCE BROADBAND MARKET ING INNOVATION DIGITAL INCLUSION The ICF Framework

  9. Partners and Roles • Business Training • UM Extension • MN Renewable Energy Marketplace • Citizen Training • MN Learning Commons • DEED Workforce Centers • Outreach • Regional Development Commissions • Support • PC’s for People • University of MN – Crookston • Intelligent Community Forum • 11 Demonstration Communities • Others?

  10. Utilizing the Intelligent Community approach • Broadband • Increased public access • Possible hotspot creation • Digital Inclusion • Public access • Digital literacy training • PCs for People • Knowledge Workforce • More access to WFC • Digital Literacy Training • Knowledge Worker Career information • Atomic Learning • Innovation • New uses of technology within business, education and government • Small business technology assistance • Assistance provided by MES and MNREM • Marketing/Advocacy • Focusing on internal technology advocacy • Local messaging • Community teams focusing on project development and implementation

  11. 11 Demonstration Communities • Each community has a commitment of up to $100,000 in funds to implement their Intelligent Community Initiative • Steering committee drives assessment, coalition building and project development • Communities must implement a minimum of four projects • All must fit into one of the Intelligent Community elements • At least one project must address digital inclusion

  12. Why this framework is successful • Brings diverse partners and stakeholders together around a larger vision • Magnifies the importance of collaboration between key public and private sectors • Demonstrates the “essential utility” nature of broadband and its support of economic development • People and groups love recognition!

  13. More information • www.blandinfoundation.org • http://broadband.blandinfoundation.org • www.blandinonbroadband.org • Bernadine Joselyn • Director of Public Policy and Community Engagement • (218) 327-8728 • brjoselyn@blandinfoundation.org

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