I have been working with Dakota Future to develop a strategic link between business, education and government in Dakota County. In the last couple of years, we have been focusing on the broadband economic development framework created by the Intelligent Community Forum – and we happy to report that our efforts have been rewarded for our efforts.

Dakota County has been named a 2011 Smart 21 Global Intelligent Community by the Intelligent Community Forum. This marks the second consecutive year that Dakota County has received this honor. Two years ago, Dakota Future adopted the Intelligent Community framework and set a goal to be recognized as a Top Seven Intelligent Community.

Intelligent Communities develop broadband availability and use; create, attract and support knowledge workers; address digital inclusion; spur innovation in business and government; and effectively market the community to attract talent and investment.

Over the past year, Dakota Future has coordinated Intelligent Community efforts that engaged more than 75 leaders from business, education and government. Dakota Future and other stakeholders are working to achieve the goals set by these leadership groups in each of the five intelligent community pillars. Results include the installation of wireless Internet in Dakota CDA housing, a business innovation and branding study conducted by the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, and inter-community discussions aimed at streamlining telecommunications infrastructure permitting processes.

Sharon LaComb, vice-president of Dakota County Technical College and a Dakota Future board member, promoted the use of the work groups to achieve results. “To compete in this world economy takes long term vision and continued efforts. We need to continue to be smart and work hard to attract and maintain our Dakota County quality of life.”

Dakota County is in contention to be named a Top Seven Intelligent Community and Intelligent Community of the Year. Over the next 60 days, Dakota Future will coordinate efforts to submit a compelling final application for this global competition. Stockholm Sweden and Suwon South Korea are the 2009 and 2010 Intelligent Communities of the Year, respectively.

“To attract investment and talent from outside Minnesota, people need to know that Dakota County exists,” said LaDonna Boyd of Dakota Electric Association. “This puts us on the world map with other innovative communities. This honor documents that we have what it takes to be a high technology locations for small and large companies.”