I’m going to apologize in advance for a large number of posts this afternoon. The Blandin Foundation has just announced a round of broadband grant awards and I want to post each award individually so that it’s easier to access in the archive and so that each community will have its own post to promote. Thanks!

Blandin Foundation awards grant to KOOTASCA Community Action to continue to distribute refurbished computers

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (July 30, 2014) – Blandin Foundation announced today that it has awarded six grants totaling $123,190 that assist rural Minnesota communities in advancing high-speed Internet access and use in their communities, including a grant in the Itasca and Koochiching County area.

KOOTAS CA Community Action will continue to provide refurbished computers and onsite Internet access to low-income people in Itasca and Koochiching Counties through PCs for People, with support of a $12,500 Blandin Foundation grant.

“The cost of a new computer is a significant barrier for many low income people in our communities,” says Alice Moren, Manager of KOOTASCA’s PCs for People office. “This refurbished equipment makes it possible for single adults, families with K-12 children, college students, and senior citizens to engage in all of the life tasks that require technology in today’s world.”

Since PCs for People partnered in 2012 with KOOTASCA, 242 computers have been distributed in Itasca and Koochiching counties. This year KOOTASACA will increase the number of qualified volunteers that can refurbish computers so even more families can be supported. For more information, contact KOOTASCA at (218) 999-5728.

“Rural leaders know that connected communities are vibrant communities,” said Dr. Kathleen Annette, CEO of Blandin Foundation. “We are delighted to see KOOTASCA Community Action pull resources together to plan for access to – and use of – high-speed Internet so critical to work and life today.”