Blandin Foundation Broadband Initiative

February 2006

Cambridge-Isanti - February is full of events to learn more about broadband for Cambridge and Isanti communities through the Broadband Project.

The month kicks off with a two-session course offered through Community Education. The class, "What's the Big Deal About Broadband" is taught by Jay Mankie, co-owner of a local telecommunications supplier, Genesis Wireless. The class will be held in the computer lab of the Cambridge branch of the East Central Library and is offered to residents at no cost.

For mid-February the Broadband initiative has partnered with the Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce to sponsor a breakfast seminar for retailers entitled "Shopminnesota.com." The two-hour seminar will inform area retailers of the benefits and process to register for this new state-wide website and include tips from web designers on how to make your website stand out from the crowd.

The Cambridge-Isanti High School Graphics Art Design II class is going to create a logo and identity package for the Broadband Initiative. The students are working in pairs to create logo designs that represent the speed and benefits of using broadband. They will choose final designs and have students present their concepts to the project team.

Local newspapers are helping to promote broadband. The Star offered to run a monthly column for the Broadband Initiative to convey updates to the communities. "Broadband Bytes" column will be published this month Stay tuned!

Cohasset - Cohasset is at the end of the year one with Get Broadband. In the next few weeks they will be meeting with the existing committee members, local ISP's and area businesses to discuss the option to go for another year. They have contacted two additional ISP's to join the effort. They are losing at least one committee member and hope recruit at least one more person to the committee. Late last year Cohasset set up a WiFi at City Hall, which they will be promoting this the first part of the year.

Cohasset's tip of the month to help promote events: You have all seen them - the Pepsi banners for events. As it turns out they are not hard to get, contact your local distributor. While they weren’t able to contribute any cash in support Cohasset’s efforts, they were able to provide a banner and to donate beverages. Last Fall Pepsi supported the City of Cohasset and their Technology Fair with banners and beverages. A local bank was willing to promote the Technology Fair on their scrolling marquee.

Fosston - The City of Fosston has added a Get Broadband section to their web site. The site also includes a subsection on the Get Broadband market survey, which is set to begin soon. Michelle Landsverk, Community Coordinator, spoke about the project on a community radio program and is speaking to the local newspaper about highlighting broadband in the news, perhaps through a regular column.

Grand Rapids -The Grand Rapids Steering Committee has officially been granted an extension for the Get Broadband project until May 15, 2006. The steering committee met in January to discuss 2006 projects, and has decided to pursue the evaluation of a community hot spot. The group will try to recruit community association(s) to form a partnership so the hot spot could continue once grant funds are gone.

Hibbing - Hibbing has just started the Get Broadband process and things are hopping! Bill Coleman spent two days in Hibbing, visiting with a number of people in the community to pick their brains, and leading a planning session with the steering committee.

Hibbing set some ambitious but attainable goals. They are focusing efforts on nonprofits/businesses, seniors, and public access. They have set up a calendar with tasks and responsible parties. Things are still coming together, but Bill's visit generated a lot of enthusiasm.

Special thanks to Duane Northagen of Hibbing Economic Development Authority and, and Range Broadband’s Zach Raskovich, for their consistent support, financial and all other ways.

International Falls - The International Falls Get Broadband steering committee is co-sponsoring a series of 7 workshops on BUILDING COMPUTER SKILLS with the TechNorth Prep Center Network (TPCN). Most of the workshops will cover the basics of computer use such as Word, Exel, Power Point and Outlook, but one will focus on Getting Connected in a Wireless World. It will include information on using a wireless laptop and securing home and business wireless networks. The workshops will be offered at Rainy River Community College in the computer lab.

Windom - The City of Windom Blandin Steering Committee will be sponsoring a luncheon for local businesses on February 24 at the Windom Community Center. "Growing Businesses Using Technology" will be the theme. The committee will be providing lunch and door prizes to encourage participation by local businesses.

The Committee has invited three local businesses to present a brief overview of how internet technology has helped their businesses grow. Following these presentations, business owners and managers will be asked to participate in a table discussion to identify the obstacles they encounter and the tools they need to help them utilize Internet technology in their businesses. Bill Coleman will help facilitate the discussion.

The information that is obtained from the discussion will be used to identify future activities for the Blandin Get Broadband grant.