A presentation given to the TISP Forum at the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota in May 2010 by Blandin Foundation.

1. MN Intelligent Rural Communities Creating a Culture of Use Bernadine Joselyn, Blandin Foundation

2. Blandin Foundation Mission To strengthen rural communities in Minnesota, especially the Grand Rapids Area

3. Blandin Broadband Vision 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 investment to become a world leader in the universal deployment and use of ultra high-speed next generation broadband

4. 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

5. MIRC Goal Create technologically and economically vital rural communities, competing and thriving in the broadband economy.

6. MIRC Outcomes Increased culture of use of broadband-based services Increased efficiency and effectiveness of digital literacy training service delivery Increased economic vitality in rural Minnesota communities

7. MIRC Outputs 13.5 jobs created 38,416 new household subscribers 155 new institutional subscribers 3,500 users of public access facilities 3,640 participants in at least 16 hours of training 1,000 renewed and distributed computers 160,000 people reached through project outreach and awareness

8. $6.4 M project Budget

10. Increased small business subscribers (240)

11. Jobs created or retained (13.5)

12. Small business reached (6,000), trained (2,000), provided extensive technical assistance (200)

14. KNOWLEDGE WORKFORCE BROADBAND MARKET ING INNOVATION DIGITAL INCLUSION The ICF Virtuous Cycle

15. Statewide Activities Enhanced public access at workforce centers with access to training and online learning E-entrepreneurship / small business training and support Provide computers to vulnerable populations Support community broadband initiatives Community planning Market development Application development Feasibility studies

16. 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?

17. Demonstration Communities Upper MN Valley RDC Willmar Windom Winona Worthington Benton County Cook County Grand Rapids Area Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Stevens County Thief River Falls

18. Demonstration Communities 11 Intelligent Community Demonstration Communities Each community has a commitment of up to $100,000 in funds to implement their Intelligent Community Initiative 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

19. Demonstration Communities Led by a Project Coordinator in each community and local Steering Committee of key community stakeholders Baseline utilization surveys Goal setting Project identification Project implementation (funds for adoption of community-impacting technology applications (health, education, government, business)

20. Demonstration Communities Unique community needs Tailor the program of action to their area Makes it a grass roots initiative. Prior experiences with Blandin’s Broadband initiative to lead their efforts. Menu of support partners are available that communities can utilize to achieve their goals. Cross-pollination of ideas between communities.

21. Kandiyohi County & Willmar EDC’s Technology Committee will serve as the initial core steering committee. Requests for ideas will be solicited from the community. A work plan will be identified and submitted to Blandin Foundation. Process builds consensus. Broadens scope of plan to meet greatest needs or most vital projects.

22. Evaluation University of Minnesota-Crookston, EDA Center - Jack Geller BTOP Measures Increased residential and business broadband subscribers Jobs created or retained Small business training/support Individuals reached, trained Demonstration Community outcomes – Intelligent Community indicators

23. Multi-Sector Partner Roles Making effective use of Minnesota assets!

24. Outreach Role of the Regional Development Commissions Expertise Economic development / social services Connection to all stakeholders Role Promote MIRC resources through media, meetings and RDC communication tools Facilitate delivery of MIRC resources w/in the region Consider initiation of regional broadband planning

25. Business Technology Training UMN Extension center for Community Vitality Provide training in e-commerce and other broadband issues for businesses within MIRC and other rural communities. Coordinate technical assistance providers for these business and supporting business and community leaders to develop sustainable broadband efforts for the future.

26. Business Technology Training MNREM Specialty technology training for businesses in the renewable energy sector

27. Workforce Training MN Learning Commons Online knowledge worker career training delivered via instructor and independent learning to workers in transition

28. Minnesota Learning Commons The mission of the Minnesota Learning Commons is to provide access to effective and efficient online learning provided by Minnesota public education partners. MnLC

29. Workforce Training MN Workforce Centers Deliver knowledge worker training and digital literacy training at workforce centers Extended hours for public access

30. Computers for All PCs for People Gather suitable PCs Renew PCs with hardware Renew PCs with licensed software Distribute to those in need

31. Expanding Our Partnership Possibilities Internet Service Providers Partnering with PCs for People? Joint promotion and marketing efforts? Industry Community Libraries Virtual workforce centers? Sites for training? Others? Your ideas welcome!

32. Questions?