We’ve run into an exciting but daunting realization working with our ARRA-funded Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC). We may be the leaders in terms of broadband adoption programs in rural communities such as very small towns and remote areas as well as county seats. It’s daunting because we often feel as if we’re in unchartered waters – but it is exciting and it encourages us to share our story to help others replicate the success that we’re seeing already in our 11 Demonstration communities.

Each community is developing their own strategy based on the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) framework and using the arsenal of tools offered through MIRC partnership. For example, University of Minnesota Extension has been focused on Main Street use of broadband. PCs for People gives out computers to folks in need.

We’re hitting a milestone worth sharing this month. Through an RFP process our 11 Demonstration Communities have received terrific proposals from local organizations with ideas to increase broadband adoption in their area. The response was terrific – more ideas than communities were able to fund. So the communities worked with several of the proposers to encourage them to collaborate and refine their projects. In the end, the Demonstration communities are enthusiastic about the projects that they have been able to fund.

Communities are currently notifying award recipients of their decisions and the projects are just beginning. We are looking forward to being able to share this information as the recipients in each community are notified.