I’m pleased to share the following fun info. I’m hoping to highlight many of the specific projects and programs in the upcoming weeks…

GRAND RAPIDS – Blandin Foundation announced that it has awarded 29 grants totaling $401,631 to assist rural Minnesota communities in advancing high-speed Internet access and use in their communities. Lake County will benefit from three of these grants, through which area organizations will support local residents and community leaders in taking advantage of the region’s growing highspeed Internet (broadband) network.

Projects chosen by local residents during a community meeting held this spring, and which will be supported in part through Blandin Foundation Community Broadband grants, are:

• Broadband Community Education: $17,000 to Lake Superior School District 381 for hands-on community training in Internet tools such as Skype, Google search, conferencing tools, Twitter, etc.

• Mobile Device Initiative: $18,000 to Lake Superior School District for outreach and training opportunities using mobile devices and broadband technology. The focus of the initiative is for students, business owners and community members of all ages and on increasing economic development and quality of life.

• Digital Literacy Project: $10,000 to

Lake County for the production of online videos for community partners regarding how broadband technology can be used to positively impact communities and improve the lives of residents.

Lake County was named a Blandin Broadband Community in November 2012, one of nine selected across rural Minnesota. Since that time, the county has convened a leadership team and engaged the community in a two-year project to make the best use of information and services that broadband can deliver.

“Our region is making tremendous progress in building its technology infrastructure,” said Angie Dickison Palmer, Lake County’s information systems director. “We are excited that, through this partnership with Blandin Foundation, we can help bring the benefits of those investments to all residents.”

“We were delighted to see how Lake County area leaders engaged a range of organizations and interests to imagine possibilities that come with high-speed Internet,” said Dr. Kathleen Annette, CEO of Blandin Foundation. “Hopeful leaders make ambitious choices, and Lake County residents will benefit from this collaborative effort. We’re excited by this work, and the vibrancy it will bring to the region.”