News from the Blandin on Broadband Blog
Digital Inclusion Curriculum Online
Through the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) project, the Department of Employment and Economic Development has developed an online digital inclusion curriculum for folks looking for very basic computer instruction. http://wp.me/p3if7-1ki
Making a Plan for Homeless Access
Open Access Connections recently released a study that reveals how homeless people currently access the Internet in the Twin Cities. Also it offers recommendations for increasing access and adoption with homeless people. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jT
White House Rural Council
President Obama established a Rural Council to better coordinate federal programs and maximize the impact of federal investment to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in rural communities. One of the priorities for the council is broadband and expanding broadband in rural areas. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jq
Broadband is a Human Right
United Nations released a report by the Special Rapporteur stating that broadband access is a human right. The report focuses on broadband as a means for civic engagement and a tool for advocacy. http://wp.me/p3if7-1j1
Local Broadband News
Anoka
Anoka County provides an update on their ARRA-funded fiber network and offers advice to communities looking at community access. http://wp.me/p3if7-1kl
Cook County
Arrowhead Electric Cooperative placed their first order for fiber in June and started successfully pre-registering customers for service. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jh
Crookston
IMPACT 20/20 is still promoting better broadband in NW Minnesota http://wp.me/p3if7-1kp
Duluth
The ARRA-funded Merit Network has selected CCI Systems as outside plant engineering contractor. Merit primarily serves Michigan, but the network will include parts of Duluth. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jw
Foley
Foley, A MIRC Demonstration Community, unveils a new community web site. http://wp.me/p3if7-1k7
Lac qui Parle County
Take a tour of the Lac qui Parle Computer Commuter, a tricked out mobile computer lab that tours area towns. http://wp.me/p3if7-1j6
Lake County
After a bumpy beginning, the ARRA-funded fiber plans in Lake County are moving forward. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jm
Monticello
Monticello is still receiving recognition for their successful community fiber network. http://wp.me/p3if7-1k0
Todd County
Todd County is working on their fiber feasibility study. http://wp.me/p3if7-1kc
Twin Cities
Minneapolis ranks 32 in the world in the number of Twitter users. http://wp.me/p3if7-1j4
Windom
The City of Windom and Blandin Foundation, PCs for People, WindomNet and Atomic Training are working to provide computers, broadband access and training to eligible applicants. http://wp.me/p3if7-1jF
(Many stories are gathered from local online newspaper. Unfortunately each newspaper has a different policy in regards to archive news and therefore we cannot guarantee access to all articles cited.)
Events
July 19-20 – Minnesota Cable Communications Association Annual Meeting http://tinyurl.com/5ta73y3
July 27-29 – eLearning and eFolio Summit – http://wp.me/p3if7-1gQ
Looking for more events? Check out TechDotMN’s calendar http://tech.mn/events/. Many events are based in the Twin Cities but it is a comprehensive list. (If you have an upcoming event, consider submitting it.)
Coleman’s Corner
I had the opportunity to briefly participate in the National Rural Assembly in St. Paul this week. I wish that I could have stayed longer.
It was interesting to hear the perspective of people from around the country. It was obvious that broadband availability in many rural parts of Minnesota is far superior to that of other states. We are lucky that we have the smaller independent telephone companies who have used the available federal programs and support mechanisms to build significant FTTH and FTTP networks in their communities and surrounding hinterlands.
Over the years, I have approached broadband as an economic development challenge, especially for rural communities. I have worked with community leaders to ensure broadband for business, education, health care and the general citizenry. I have recognized that broadband is critical for all people and promoted public access sites as a way to ensure widespread community access. I saw the need to focus on creating a business case to provide services in underserved areas as the primary focus of my work. The leadership groups with which I have worked have included the traditional community leadership circle – city officials, chamber of commerce, school superintendents, business, etc.
The attendees at the National Rural Assembly seemed to share a different perspective of ensuring broadband access, especially affordable access, as a social justice issue. Their leadership is centered on non-profits, advocacy groups, low-income residents and people of color. I plan to work to bring these often separate groups together around the broadband issue recognizing their shared end-goals – better and more affordable broadband that will enable rural people and their communities to thrive.
Bill Coleman helps communities make the connection between telecommunications and economic development. As principal in Community Technology Advisors http://tinyurl.com/3f4dx7g for ten years, he assists community, foundation and corporate clients develop and implement programs of broadband infrastructure investment and technology promotion and training. Bill is working with the Blandin Foundation on the MIRC Initiative http://tinyurl.com/2c6mhh4, Community Broadband Resource Program http://tinyurl.com/cseu7e and other broadband projects
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