June 16, 2009
Here’s a fun story for hard times. A woman in St Cloud saves $175 a month in coupons. Not bad.
According to the St Cloud Times, she “finds coupons in newspapers, coupon Web sites, company Web sites. She even buys them on eBay. She says she gets some of the best deals off the auction site.” So that’s one way to afford broadband.
For anyone looking to follow in her footsteps, you can read her blog: Penny Pinching Pixy.
It’s a fun story but also a reminder that there are ways for a household to afford broadband and while cutting coupon might not work for a community, there are other savings that can be realized with broadband on a communitywide level.
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Broadband Applications, MN, economic development | 
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Posted by Ann Treacy
May 11, 2009
Symmetry is one of the broadband principles promoted by Blandin Foundation. What does it mean? Broadband speeds that are good up and down. But what does it mean on a practical basis? It means everyone’s voice (or video) can be heard.
Pam Lehmann at the Lac qui Parle EDA sent me the notice on this fun video contest. I love the idea for so many reasons.
The short story is that folks are invited to submit videos that promote tourism in Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift and Yellow Medicine counties. There are cash prizes. You can submit a video via email or YouTube.
It’s a great way to get folks to help promote their area and use broadband – to start thinking of themselves as info providers as well as consumers.
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Blandin Foundation, Broadband Applications, MN, Rural, economic development | 
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Posted by Ann Treacy
April 30, 2009
Matt Entenza announced his campaign for Governor last week. Since then he’s been on the road ever since. In Bemidji he mentioned broadband as an important tool in the schools but also elaborated on its importance to small businesses. I’m just going to quote what he said as posted in the Bemdji Pioneer:
Entenza said that 30 percent of Minnesota is still unserved by high-speed Internet, which is becoming an increasingly important tool for small-town businesses. “That means areas that can’t grow economically.”
Expanding broadband technology throughout Minnesota hasn’t been a high priority for the Pawlenty administration, the Democrat said.
“The Internet is the new Main Street,” Entenza said. “Unless you have Internet, your businesses aren’t going to survive. People want to live in rural areas but also want to get their goods and services to the market. Then you need the Internet.”
A small grant and loan program to bring Internet technology to small businesses isn’t an easy investment from the state, he said. “Corporations seeking a $25 million loan have an easier time than a small business seeking a $25,000 loan.”
I love that rural broadband is getting mention early – I hope it gets mentioned often too!
Leave a Comment » | Broadband Applications, MN, Policy, Rural, economic development | Permalink
Posted by Ann Treacy
April 28, 2009
Hiawatha Broadband Communication (HBC) has been talking to various communtiies about their plan to pursue stilumus funding to expand fiber to those communities with help from federal funds. Last night they spoke with the Red Wing city council who approved a resolution (7-0) to support HBC when it applies to the federal agencies that will distribute stimulus dollars allocated for fiber-optic projects.
Red Wing is excited at the prospect of having fiber – especially as a tool to encourage businesses to move to the area.
Lake City also approved the plan. HBC also plans to talk to Cannon Falls.
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FTTH, Funding, Get Broadband, MN, economic development | 
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Posted by Ann Treacy
April 26, 2009
There was a recent article in The Washington Post that took a look at whether broadband brought jobs. They looked at 2 communities: Lebanon and Rose Hill, Virginia. Both got broadband – and the article goes on to say that Lebanon flourished while in Rose Hill the change was not as pronounced.
First for folks who are not on the Baller Herbst list I’ll post Jim Baller’s comments:
This article overlooks the role of Bristol Virginia Utilities in bringing hundreds of high-paying jobs to the Lebanon, VA, the successful one of the two town mentioned in the article. For its involvement in this and many other job-creating projects, Bristol has been named one the seven finalists for recognition as the world’s Intelligent Community of the Year – the only American finalist this year.
I wanted to draw out two points that I saw in the article, First the recognition that broadband alone isn’t going to do it: “You can’t just drop an Internet line and expect jobs growth. Getting broadband access is only the first part,” said Larry Irving, former head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
The second point builds on the first – people notice that broadband is not enough: “CGI said it was attracted by Lebanon’s willingness to train workers and by higher levels of education than in other parts of the region. About 71 percent of Lebanon’s residents have a high school diploma, compared with Rose Hill, where only 29 percent do, according to the census.
An undercurrent that I’ve heard mentioned by economic developers is that broadband may not be enough but it is necessary.
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Posted by Ann Treacy
March 25, 2009
In my quest for good Minnesota broadband stories, I ran into Sylvia Wulf and CrossUSA. Sylvia works as a Systems Analyst for CrossUSA in Sebeka. Sylvia grew up just north of that area but ended up in Sebeka because her parents moved there.
Sylvia lived and worked as a programmer in California. When she got divorced, she moved with her two sons back to Minnesota. Her parents had left them a house in Sebeka. Unfortunately, she couldn’t get a job as a programmer in the area. So she got different jobs, working in retail or at a local hotel. Actually she often worked two jobs as she raised her sons.
In 1998 that changed, she was one of the first employees hired at CrossUSA and she has been there ever since. As Sylvia said, “It has been a Godsend and that is not stretching the truth.”
CrossUSA provides IT consulting staff to companies through-out the United States; generally the staff works offsite at a CrossUSA office, although some work onsite and a couple telecommute. CrossUSA is an alternative to off-shore resourcing. They are head quartered in Burnsville, MN and besides Sebeka also have a Rural Development Center in Eveleth, they employ about 15 people in Burnsville, 25 in Sebeka, and 30 in Eveleth.
Sylvia currently is a Team Lead at CrossUSA, she and her group support a legacy IBM mainframe system for UnitedHealth Group’s Corporate Systems, which is part UHG’s Accounts Receivable Department.
CrossUSA gets broadband from West Central Telephone Association. WCTA seems to be another local provider that’s doing a good job serving the needs of their customers. Here’s the info they sent me on Cross USA’s connection:
Cross USA-Currently have 5 Meg/5 Meg Internet Service, we are serving that Internet connection with a VLAN. Over that Internet connection they are using VoiP to connect to their other locations. They are planning an upgrade to their phone system this fall to an all IP based phone system which will also support TDM.
For Sylvia, having a job that meets her qualifications has made a huge difference in the quality of her life. She is down to one job and is working a job that meets her skills.
As Sylvia says, “We [CrossUSA] have had a very positive effect on the economy of Sebeka and the surrounding community. Most of us own our own homes, all of us near lakes and resorts and other recreation areas, away from the city and all it means.”
1 Comment | Broadband Applications, MN, Rural, economic development | Permalink
Posted by Ann Treacy
March 23, 2009
Blandin Foundation gets some interesting inquiries through the Blandin on Broadband blog and through our Toolkit web sites. A recent submission gave us reasons to celebrate and to ponder.
A family in rural Chisago County told us that they have not been able to get broadband services due to their rural location. DSL was not available at their remote location according to Frontier Communication’s customer service center. A similar situation exists for a significant numbers of Minnesota households as documented by the Center for Rural Policy, Connect Minnesota and as observed by my regular rural Minnesota travels.
Broadband is especially important to this particular family. One household member is seeking additional education and employment. Another is recovering from serious injuries suffered in an accident. Education, employment and health care-the trifecta of broadband killer applications!
When we received this email, I took a look at my telephone exchange map, confirming that Frontier was the provider. I also took a look at the Genesis Wireless coverage maps as they provide fixed wireless services in east central Minnesota, but they do not provide service in the area. Then I sent an email and made a call to JoAnne Johnson at Frontier. JoAnne is a friend, former colleague at Onvoy and briefly at Community Technology Advisors, and a member of the MN Ultra High Speed Internet Task Force.
JoAnne made some calls, Frontier’s staff did some investigation, and some new technologies were deployed to extend DSL the extra distance to our emailer’s home. At Blandin, we got some great satisfaction from helping this one family. Frontier got a new customer. And our emailer and family have enhanced Internet access. If we checked back in six months or a year, we might find a household that has been able to address some or all of its critical issues through the use of broadband.
While our little intervention was successful, this is no way to ensure broadband access to all Minnesotans. Blandin Broadband Principles call for ubiquitous, affordable broadband that enable our citizens to do what needs to be done over the Internet. We will continue our work to promote this concept across the state as the state broadband task force considers policies and federal and state officials invest broadband stimulus monies.
Make your own and your community voices heard directly to elected and appointed officials and through the MN Broadband Coalition! Now is the time.
Leave a Comment » | Blandin Foundation, Broadband Applications, Healthcare, MN, Rural, Vendors, economic development, education | Permalink
Posted by Bill Coleman
March 22, 2009
In the last week I have seen several great articles about computer and/or broadband use in the library – mostly in the public library – making the case that for an increasing number of people, the library is THE place to get online and to learn how to use online tools.
Most recently, The Institute of Museum and Library Services released a report (Libraries Use Broadband Internet Service to Serve High Need Communities) that details the need for broadband in libraries. Here are the two points I found most compelling:
- In 2007, 88% of public libraries in high poverty areas provided access to broadband Internet and 73% of public libraries reported their facilities as being the only source of free Internet access in their community.
- Availability of Internet terminals in public libraries increased by more than 600% in from 1998 to 2006. I’d add that if you’ve been in a public library, especially once school gets out you know – there still aren’t enough computers.
A more passionate, less statistical article I read last week from Palo Alto (The ‘library of the future’ begins to emerge) paints of picture of what libraries are becoming, “Gone are the days of dusty shelves, cellophane-protected book covers and librarians who say “shush.” Experts predict libraries in the future will be more akin to community and cultural centers and gathering places for services, education and collaboration.”
The article talks about resources available for job seekers, such as the Cupertino Library’s JobView kiosk, where job seekers can create videos to apply for jobs. It talks about how libraries often are the connection not only the tools, but the librarians have become teachers. It’s been a long time since I sat a reference desk – but even 12 years ago, and even working at a college library, most of what I was doing was teaching information literacy skills – how to find and recognize good info. (In the spirit of full disclosure, I have a Master’s degree in Library and information Science. So I love libraries.)
More locally, the Winona Daily News just published an article on their local library as a place to get online, get job skills, hang out and save money by borrowing books and videos rather than buying. They are dealing with a shrinking budget for the library and the article promotes a few local measures to raise funds – such as a book sale and concert.
The feds are also coming up with ways to get money to the libraries and we’ve seen in the economic stimulus package. The question is whether it will be enough – and who will get it. The America Library Association maintains a web site to help librarians stay on top of the opportunities.
I don’t want to give away any trade secrets but it seems like other industries or sectors should be getting as organized; the ALA has done a great job.
1 Comment | Broadband Applications, Digital Divide, Funding, MN, Policy, Rural, economic development | Permalink
Posted by Ann Treacy
March 19, 2009
Earlier this week, the Minneapolis Star Tribune ran an article about Minnesota communities and the potential for the stimulus funding jackpot. As the article said, there’s a lot of money to be had – and so far not a lot of details about how funding decisions will be made. The Daily Yonder ran a similar article, mentioning that the communities that are already prepared for projects should be in the best position to receive money.
One Minnesota community that has been preparing for broadband and was featured in the Star Tribune article is Grand Marais – up on the North Shore. (Grand Marais received matching grant funds from Blandin Foundation to perform a market analysis and preliminary sustainable network, governance and financial models for this broadband network.) Danna MacKenzie, the Cook County information systems director in Grand Marais was good enough to follow up with me on the comments she made in the Star Tribune article.
As mentioned in the STrib article, we do truly believe that broadband is the next household utility. We also believe the network does not achieve its full value until everyone is connected. Broadband is necessary to maintain public safety systems and deliver next gen government and health services.
We also believe it is the most fiscally and environmentally responsible approach for diversifying and strengthening our economy. Economic improvements will initially be realized through longer tourism stays, families moving in with telecommuting jobs (we get calls all the time!) and the expansion of existing local business opportunities through improved online access. This is just a fraction of what we see as benefits of building this network. More can be found at http://cookcountybroadband.com
We know that it is not feasible for the current market to come in and build a next generation network in this area. However, it doesn’t benefit anyone, resident or visitor, to let our community fall off the map when it comes to modern services. Just as it took public involvement to get roads, telephone and electricity out to places like ours; the same can be said for broadband capabilities.
The ability for small local entities to raise the capital for a project like this is very close to impossible in this economy. The stimulus money would allow us to build a long-term solution, not just a band-aid. From my understanding, our location and our goals align well with the original intent and purpose of the rural broadband stimulus funds.
The ROI for our local taxpayers is obvious with access to choices for television, telephone and internet services at prices they can afford. It will also provide tools for the schools, public safety, healthcare and government systems to move with the rest of the state and country to continually more network dependent delivery mechanisms. The ROI for state and federal taxpayers gets back to Metcalf’s law: the value of the network increases proportionally to the number of users that are using it. Not until everyone has access can the federal and state governments start eliminating many of their redundant, paper-based, now inefficient systems of providing services and move to all-electronic delivery modes.
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Posted by Ann Treacy
For anyone looking to follow in her footsteps, you can read her blog: Penny Pinching Pixy.
