Monthly Archives: December 2010

MN Broadband Story of Success: Squinkies in Minnetonka

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Today’s story of success is a little different; I’ve heard about it through mainstream media. But for readers who need to buy gifts for kids in the near future I thought this might also serve as a nice heads up. Squinkies are apparently the latest greatest gift for the holidays. They seem similar to webkins – where you get a tiny toy animal that also lives online or at least you track your ownership online. But as I recall webkins were just under $10 each; Squinkies are $10 for 16 animals. They were hot sellers last weekend. (I feel that I may know more about these guys after Christmas.)

Back to the broadband-Minnesota connection. First – Squinkies are made by Blip Toys, headquartered in Minnetonka. Second – the web site and the personal inventory tracking are integral to the toys so it ties into the online and offline worlds, which kids seem to love. Also folks seem to be crediting their online media plan for much of their success. They have used their Facebook page to get feedback from parents, apparently the idea of a printable “Squinkie bank” came from Facebook and has been a big hit. They reached out to more than 300 bloggers, sending them products for review and giveaways. Squinkies also have a YouTube channel – another big hit with kids. They have a video where stars (such as Eric Estrada) talk up Squinkies.

So Squinkies are bringing joy to kids – and helping at least one Minnesota business thrive. The marketing and part of the product assume an Internet connection – and actually the website assumes a pretty hefty broadband connection for maximum interaction.

Smart City Challenge (a grant opportunity)

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Thanks to John Schultz for the heads up on this great opportunity. Apparently IBM has started a Smart Cities Challenge and will award $50 million worth of technology and services to help 100 municipalities across the globe – in chunks of about $400,000. According to the IBM web site…

Over the next three years, IBM will send its top experts to those cities that have made the strongest case for participating in Smarter Cities Challenge. IBM consultants will immerse themselves in local issues involving the administration of healthcare, education, safety, social services, transportation, communications, sustainability, budget management, energy, and utilities.

Four cities have already begun their programs with IBM: Baltimore, Maryland; Austin, Texas; and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (Greater Charlotte).

Cities interested in learning more or applying can check out the Smart Cities Challenge site. Since no Minnesota cities made the Gov Tech list of Top Digital Cities, this seems like an opportunity worth considering.

St Paul gets $245,000 for Community Fiber Network

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Thanks to Carol Walsh at DEED for the heads up on the following…

Saint Paul Receives $245,000 Grant from Knight Foundation for Community Fiber Network

SAINT PAUL – A potential City and Ramsey County owned and operated fiber network for broadband access took a step forward today as the Saint Paul Department of Technology and Communications received a $245,000 grant from the Knight Foundation.

The grant will provide Saint Paul and the County with the means for the planning and project management capacity necessary for a public/private community network in partnership with Minnesota Fiber Exchange.

The proposed system, currently being called the Community Fiber Network, would provide one conduit to serve the needs of institutional and government organizations in Ramsey County and Saint Paul as well as other public agencies. A second conduit would also be used to service business and community needs, providing an open access network.

Expanding broadband connectivity through the Community Fiber Network would be an important step in creating the strong and sustainable foundation needed to stimulate economic growth, enhance workforce skills, improve educational outcomes and build a competitive region for the 21st Century.

In addition, the Community Fiber Network has the potential to facilitate digital literacy education initiatives and create growth in all Saint Paul neighborhoods by providing small businesses with cost effective access to broadband internet.

Financing and joint ownership would be a joint venture between the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County and Minnesota Fiber Exchange.