I would love to see Minnesota communities dominate the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) list so I’m so glad that Ann Higgins sent me info on the upcoming ICF application deadline.

Here is some info on the ICF Award taken from their web site…

Description. Awarded to communities or regions with a documented strategy for creating a local prosperity and inclusion using broadband and information technology to attract leading-edge businesses, stimulate job creation, build skills, generate economic growth, and improve the delivery of government services. Evaluation of nominations is based on ICF’s Intelligent Community Indicators, which provide the first conceptual framework for understanding all of the factors that determine a community’s competitiveness and point to its success in the Broadband Economy.

The Intelligent Community Forum framework has been the underpinning of the Blandin-led, ARRA-funded Minnesota Intelligent Rural Community (MIRC). There’s a lot of helpful info on the MIRC that might spur any community interested in the framework or the award. Or you might take a look at what Dakota Future has been doing. They have made the ICF short list (Smart 21) for a couple of years now!