Net Neutrality pros, cons and basics: Vote Feb 26

Posted on February 15, 2015 by Ann Treacy

The big Net Neutrality vote is coming up. The Twin Cities Metro iBA (independent business alliance) and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits are planning a meeting to discuss Net Neutrality on Thursday (Feb 19). Senator Franken is one of the speakers. I hope to attend and report out. In the meantime I thought it might be helpful to remind folks of the basics and present both sides of the issue.

How Net Neutrality Works: (from David Carr who sadly died last week)

The big deal right now is that the FCC (well Chairman Wheeler) is looking at reclassifying broadband under Title II (common carrier status). The popular belief is that Title II classification would allow the FCC to protect net neutrality by regulating against paid prioritization and discrimination.

For Net Neutrality/Title II

Daily Yonder looks at Net Neutrality and affordability. They stress the idea that a provider must meet customer demands for reasonable service – in rural areas there have been issues with service being offered to a portion of a town or only within a town while neighbors on the outskirts get lesser services. Title II options would curb that and/or put in place protections for customers to complain about such (lack of) service.
Electronic Frontier Foundation’s article on Net Neutrality focuses on what is and what isn’t in the proposals (which they point out we haven’t really seen yet). There’s a focus on allowing unfettered (or escalated) service for lawful content – but who will monitor the lawfulness of content and how? And will that transparency go two ways? Will customers know what providers are doing?
Google Fiber supports Title II because it would allow them to gain access to utility poles and other essential infrastructure owned by utilities. The Wall Street Journal reports that cable and telecom companies have always had such access. The same article questions whether this shows support for Title II or is simply finding silver lining just in case.
Sprint (via Ars Tecnica) says they will continue to invest even if regulated under Title II. This is a deviation from what many providers are saying (or at least the spirit of what they are saying). However, Sprint is hoping that wireless broadband will have more flexible regulation.

Against Net Neutrality/Title II

The Internet Innovation Alliance (via Forbes) also discusses affordability. They point out that Title II comes with more regulation, which will costs the providers who will in turn pass costs onto customers. “The average American household with a fixed broadband connection would pay in the range of an additional $51 to $83 per year, and those with one smartphone or other wireless broadband device (tablet) would pay $72 more annually.”
Fierce Telecom reports on Municipal providers do not support Title II – or at least they don’t support being held to Title II standards. They are asking to be exempt from Title II provisions because they have no “incentive to harm the openness of the Internet.”
The NCTA (National Cable & Telecommunications Association (via Multichannel) says they will sue if Title II passes because NCTA President (for former FCC Chair) Michael Powell says billions of dollars have been invested in the industry one set of playing rules and those would change with Title II.
Tech Freedom doesn’t support Title II because they see this as a way to push a political agenda and/or to side step Congressional jurisdiction. They ask some pointed questions similar to the EFF’s questions about – are we regulating/protecting customers, providers or regulators?

I must admit I didn’t spend all weekend scanning everything written about Net Neutrality – but I have tried to select points of view that were echoed by several people or at least were getting some traction in press and social media. No matter how you feel about it, I think it’s helpful to see all sides to ask good questions because everyone seems to agree that this may be the most important thing the FCC does for a long while. They received unprecedented comments from the public on the issue. Let’s hope the old school crowd sourcing can help us come up with something really good!

Project FINE: frontlines of digital inclusion in Winona

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Ann Treacy

I’ve written about Project FINE before; they have received several Blandin Foundation broadband grants (some indirectly) in the past. Here’s a brief description taken from their website:

Project FINE is a local, private, non-profit, tax exempt organization that helps newcomers integrate into the community. We provide foreign

language interpreters and translators as well as opportunities for education, information, referral, and empowerment for immigrants and refugees. Our work is accomplished through a small staff, volunteers, interpreters, and extensive collaboration with local service providers.

They recently reported on their latest digital inclusion program, which involved 40 participants attending in-depth computer training. They went beyond the basics to learn how to create an online presence and maintain it. The report included valuable information that I thought might help others develop or improve their digital inclusion efforts…

What messages motivated people to become and stay involved with this effort?

The topic of social media and internet access was developed based on requests from individuals who participated in our previous technology education. This community need shaped the outreach and communication for this program, which focused on personal interaction. Participants were contacted individually to share program goals and encourage them to attend training sessions and program staff maintained contact throughout the grant period, using social media whenever possible.

I have been working on digital inclusion efforts for almost 20 years. There was a day when you really just needed to tell a few folks about the opportunity to learn about the Internet and the room would be filled. Those days are gone – as Project FINE’s note indicated. People on the far end of the digital divide now need more hand-holding. They need the personal invitation and continued personal cheerleading to continue. It’s hard because it’s time consuming but it’s necessary. And it’s rewarding because once there a new world can open up for them – access to education, health care apps and even hometown news, which can be pretty valuable if you’ve immigrated and haven’t been home in a while.

Houston County Broadband 2014 Update: strong educators but limited broadband

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Ann Treacy

For the upcoming weeks I’m working on a County-by-County look at the State of Broadband in MN. My hope is to feature a county a day (in alphabetical order). In November, Connect Minnesota released their final report on broadband availability. Here is how Houston County stacked up:

Household Density: 13.8
Number of Households: 7,849
Percentage serviced (without mobile): 68.88%
Percentage serviced (with mobile): 68.88%

Houston is not well poised to get to the state goal speeds in 2015. Surprisingly, they are the home to one of the largest online K12 schools in Minnesota. At least the school recognizes the importance of good broadband. Also, Houston is home to a “Top Ten Tech Savvy” Superintendent as voted by eSchool News. Superintendent Kim Ross was also on the original Minnesota Broadband Task Force – so again there are some broadband leaders, especially in the education sector in that region.

My hope is that these county-specific posts will help policy makers and county residents understand where they stand in terms of broadband access. Assuming it might get forwarded to folks who don’t eat and sleep broadband I wanted to provide a little background on broadband to help set the stage… Continue reading →

Red Hot Hack March 21-22 in Red Wing MN

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Ann Treacy

I am looking forward to the Second Annual Red Hot Hack…

We invite you to the 2nd annual Red Hot Hack. Join us for a fun and collaborative event to help ignite innovation in our communities.

With representation from Red Wing Ignite, area investors, & local businesses. Experience a weekend of idea generation, teamwork, networking, startup pitches, food and beverage. Participants will have access to our gigabit broadband internet and have the chance to develop their ideas on the “gig’s” infrastructure.

Learn from business mentors and entrepreneurs who are leading by example, establish new investor connections, and develop new technology to solve real world problems

The winner will present their idea at Demo Day in April at the Ignite Building in Red Wing. The event is co-hosted by Mayo Clinic Business Accelerator and Red Wing Ignite.

Agenda:

Event starts at 8:30 am Saturday and goes until lunch on Sunday. Doors will be open all night for those teams that want to keep working. Winners will be announced during lunch on Sunday.

To learn more www.redwingignite.org/red-hot-hack

Arvig’s take on government support for better broadband

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Ann Treacy

The Redwood Falls Gazette recently ran an article on the Office of Broadband Development’s grant and the $537,000 award Arvig got to improve services in Sauk Center….

“You can compare broadband service with health insurance coverage,” Birkholz said. “Some people have very good insurance coverage, just like very good broadband service. Then some have insurance with a high deductible, but the coverage is less because of it. Likewise, some broadband users have service, but it is slower than it should be because of the distance it has to cover.

“Then some have no insurance whatsoever. Those are like the 10 percent of the area population that has no broadband service.”

It was noted the 10 percent figure of pros-pective customers who do not have broadband service can include some people who choose not to have high-speed internet and/or those who cannot afford it even if it were available to their homes.

Birkholz went on to explain while Arvig is aware of the 10 percent that are without internet service, it wasn’t feasible to do anything about it.

He had an interesting view on the grants…

“But, if the government says you have to have it, then the government has to pay for it,” Birkholz said. “It’s a constant work in progress.”

There were seven applications for the new grant money through the State of Minnesota, in the amount of $19.4 million, said Birkholz.

“We know that it almost feels like a right to have (high speed internet service), and that some people feel like second class citizens without it,” Birkholz said. “We hope to include more of these (distance sensitive area fixes) in future grant applications.”

Kandiyohi County surveys residents on broadband use and interest

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Ann Treacy

Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission are working on a survey for residents asking about their broadband use, cost and interest. They were kind enough to share their survey. It’s brief, which I think will make it easier for folks to complete. Basically the ask the following:

Do you currently subscribe to an Internet service?
If yes, who is your provider? And at what speeds
If no, why not?
For what do you use the Internet?
What are you willing to pay monthly for high-speed Internet?

(You can see the full survey and format.)

The West Central Tribune details the reasons for the survey…

The first round of the survey will be small in scale and will test the waters for broader data collection as the year progresses.

Organizers see it as a step in larger efforts aimed at keeping Kandiyohi County from falling too far behind in broadband services.

There’s a need to stay diligent, said Jean Spaulding, assistant director of the Economic Development Commission.

“If we don’t, with the way the workforce is changing, we really will be left behind,” she said.

The challenge at the local level is to keep up with needs and technology that are constantly evolving.

As recently as five years ago, the main issue was whether people had adequate access to high-speed Internet services, Spaulding said. “Now it’s not ‘Are you connected?’ because everybody is more and more connected. Now it’s ‘Are you connected fast enough?’”

Hennepin County Broadband 2014 Update: almost (but not quite!) ubiquitous coverage

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Ann Treacy

Household Density: 784.3
Number of Households: 475,931
Percentage serviced (without mobile): 98.53%
Percentage serviced (with mobile): 100%

I think it is safe to say that there is a market case for broadband in most of Hennepin County and that is why their coverage is so good. (Part of Minneapolis can get 10 Gig access!) But broadband availability has not always been what residents have wanted. There have been government and community efforts in Hennepin to encourage better broadband. Back in the day the City of Minneapolis worked with US Internet to provide wireless service through the City. (Coincidentally US Internet also the provider now offering 10 Gig in some parts of the city.) And there were efforts around Minnetonka to improve service for a while too (around 2011). So even urban areas have their challenges for access. (Affordability and adoption are also issues – but not necessarily part of these profiles.)

I must admit I’m much less interested in urban counties than rural counties so I look at these results from a rural eye. For example, I am surprised to see that Hennepin County does not have ubiquitous coverage – unless you include wireless service. It raises the question – is ubiquitous coverage possible? Hennepin County has nearly 800 homes per square mile and they can’t make the numbers work. Compare that to Lake of the Woods County with one person per square mile. (And 47% broadband coverage.) How can we make it happen in even area with much lower population density?

It’s difficult to see the coverage available with the map; upon first glance there’s lot of blue, which indicates unserved areas but also represents lakes. But it is clear to see that farther West you go the more purple (DSL) and pink (cable) you see. It really is Minneapolis and inner-ring suburbs that are very well served.

Notes from Fiber and Gigabit Networks Webinar

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Ann Treacy

The webinar on Gigabit Networks went well yesterday. I just wanted to share all of the notes.

Here’s the description:

Fiber and Gigabit Networks: Free Blandinwebinar Feb 12 | Blandin on Broadband//

Gigabit networks over fiber are the future and the future is here now. In just a quick couple of years, these high capacity, low latency networks have become the network of choice. First used by networks of research universities, these networks are now commonly connecting K-12 and health care networks. From Google Fiber’s announcement a couple of years ago to deployment in cities by small and large providers and municipalities, and in by rural areas, by cooperatives.

Learn about these networks from three perspectives – 1) from a technologist on how the technology works; 2) from a provider on how it financially works; and from a community on how they are making it work as a competitive strategy.

Presenters:

Pat Sims, Lightcore Group
Steve Howard, Paul Bunyan Communications
Aaron Deacon, KC Digital Drive

The video of the event:

And the Powerpoint Presentations:

Grant County Broadband 2014 Update: currently at about a B grade level

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Ann Treacy

Household Density: 4.5
Number of Households: 2,601
Percentage serviced (without mobile): 85.85%
Percentage serviced (with mobile): 85.85%

I know that Federated tried to get ARRA funds to increase broadband in Grant County back in 2010. In 2013, Gail Hedstrom (Librarian from Elbow Lake) spoke the Broadband Task Force about access in Grant County. She noted that because they have a coop in their area, they have some good broadband coverage but that it’s not ubiquitous. She also gave a unique view from the frontlines on the important of an informed and educated population and the role of broadband in helping the community become better informed and educated.

Greater Minnesota Partnership talks rural broadband with Institute of Local Self Reliance

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Ann Treacy

Last week, Chris Mitchell (Institute for Local Self Reliance) had Dan Dorman (Greater Minnesota Partnership) on his regular podcast to talk about rural broadband. Here’s the description of the show:

This week, we talk with Dan Dorman, Executive Director of the Greater Minnesota Partnership. He is also a former Minnesota state Rep and remains a small business owner. We discuss the need to improve access even as major cable lobbyists fight in the capital to preserve the status quo. The Partnership believes state barriers to community networks should be removed.

Dorman offers a unique perspective as a former member of the Minnesota Legislature. He knows what it is like to be lobbied constantly by one side of the issue but rarely hear from the other. Fortunately, the Greater Minnesota Partnership is working to provide that other side the best it can.

It was a an interesting look at rural versus urban and suburban broadband. Dorman talks about his talking tour of rural Minnesota (broadband showed up as top concern!) and the difference between broadband in rural versus other areas. Broadband keeps an area thriving. Dorman gives a special nod to Windom as a great test case in Minnesota.

One comment from Dan Dorman that struck me – “If you’re going to have a free market you need at least three competitors.” It really hits on a glaring difference in rural and urban areas. Generally, urban areas have multiple providers. Competition drives down prices and increases customer service. However, rural areas generally don’t have multiple options. So there isn’t any competition. Users are a captive audience.

And Dorman points out those user don’t have lobbyists, the providers do. As a former legislator Dorman was familiar with that arrangement, when you hear one from only one side of the issue and say an opportunity to help broaden the discussion

MN Broadband Fund Award: A closer look around Halstad (Polk County)

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Ann Treacy

Almost $20 million in state grants have gone to 17 communities in Minnesota to expand broadband and make the case to legislators (and the general public) that such investments are wise and have a valuable Return on Investment. I wanted to delve into each project a bit to help us follow the money as it gets deployed. (See other awardee posts.)

Halstad Telephone Co., Halstad Tract MN 11902500 FTTH. Awarded $1.65 million to provide broadband service to 249 unserved locations in Polk County. The full project cost is $3.3 million; the remaining $1.65 million (50 percent) match will be provided by a private investment made by Halstad Telephone. This project surrounds the outskirts of Crookston on all sides except the west side. Halstad’s existing service area will help provide middle mile redundancy to the proposed project area.

Community and Economic Development Impact: The project area is highly agricultural. U.S. Department of Agriculture research shows employment grows faster in counties that have greater broadband Internet access than in similarly situated rural counties without broadband access. The research also states the farm sector is more likely to embed broadband Internet access into productivity, as its basic inputs are more fixed than other sectors of the economy.

Ultimately, broadband technology will ensure farmers and ranchers can stay on top of the market and diversify their industry offerings.

In 2010, Halstad was awarded ARRA stimulus funding…

Halstad Telephone Company (HTC): The HTC Minnesota Exchanges Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) Project; $3,277,500 loan and $3,277,500 grant. The funding will provide FTTP broadband in five towns and surrounding rural/farm areas in Norman and Polk Counties in Minnesota, using 320 miles of fiber optic cable and providing those locations with broadband capability up to 100 Megabits. (less than five percent of this network will serve an area in North Dakota).

I assume that this will help extend that network. I don’t know, but it seems like this is probably a very “shovel-ready” project, one that might have results quickly enough to show legislators and others the impact of state funding.

Halstad has also been recognized for some of the community’s good use of technology by the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) in their Smart Rural Communities report in 2012.

Just to help track progress, here are some recent stats on Polk County:

On broadband (Connect MN final stats from 2014):

Household Density: 6.4
Number of Households: 12,704
Percentage serviced (without mobile): 98.52%
Percentage serviced (with mobile): 98.52

Census quick facts (from 2013):

Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2009-2013: $128,100
Per capita money income in past 12 months (2013 dollars), 2009-2013: $25,790
Persons below poverty level, percent, 2009-2013: 12.6%
Private nonfarm establishments, 2012: 768
Private nonfarm employment, 2012: 9,589

Strong Minnesota Presence at First Electric-Telco Partnership Summit

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Ann Treacy

It’s great to see electric and telecom companies working together to bring better broadband to rural areas. It’s a natural combination. They both reach out to rural households. They can share space and infrastructure. Broadband needs electricity or at least the devices that use broadband do. Broadband can facilitate better management of broadband through a smart grid system.

It’s also great to see Minnesota so prominent in the discussion with Johnson County REMC, Arrowhead Electric Cooperative and Consolidated Telephone Cooperative. You can even spy Acira’s Kevin Beyer in hte audience. (I learned about the event from their Facebook page.)

NTCA Joins NRTC, Rural Organizations to Host First Electric-Telco Partnership Summit

For Immediate Release

Contact: Hillary Crowder, 703-351-2086, hcrowder@ntca.org

Arlington, Va. ( February 5, 2015)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, together with the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) and other rural-focused organizations, on February 5 held the first Electric-Telco Partnership Summit, bringing together more than 100 operators of rural electric and telecommunications companies to talk about how they can work together to deliver broadband to more communities across rural America.

The summit, held in Washington, D.C., featured panel discussions with executives from rural electric and telecom providers, including leaders of Johnson County REMC (Minnesota), NineStar Connect (Indiana), Arrowhead Electric Cooperative (Minnesota), Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative (Alabama) and Consolidated Telephone Cooperative (Minnesota). Discussions focused on how successful partnerships between electric and telecom providers got started, operational challenges that come with working together and regulatory considerations.
NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield joined NRTC Chief Executive Officer Tim Bryan in welcoming participants to the inaugural even, and she encouraged conversation among participants during Q&A time. Several attendees remarked during and after the summit that more partnerships between electric and telecom providers may be needed to bring broadband services to communities currently lacking affordable, advanced communications, but the key is creating positive business relationships and communicating with one another frequently.

Fred Johnson, executive vice-president and general manager of Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative (Rainsville, Ala.), gave some advice to fellow telecom providers looking to create new partnerships with electric providers interested in deploying broadband. “Know your counterparts and always share with them what you’re capable of doing,” Johnson said. “Don’t assume that your counterparts know what you’re doing. Make sure they know.”

Photos from this event are available in the photo gallery.

MN Broadband Fund Award: A closer look at Martin County

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Ann Treacy

Dunnell Telephone Co., City of Dunnell, Martin County. Awarded $625,000 as a 42 percent match for a $1.49 million project to build connections at state speed goals for 174 unserved households in Dunnell in Martin County. The remaining $867,650 (58 percent match) will be provided by Dunnell Telephone Co.

Community and Economic Development Impact: In addition to connecting local home-based businesses and providing local online learning opportunities, this project also increases access to health care services, as there are no local health care facilities in the area.

In November 2014, Martin County was named one of 10 Blandin Broadband Communities. Like Region Five, they will be another community getting support with broadband infrastructure and adoption. It will be fun to see what the doubling up of support will mean to the community. Here are their plans based on the BBC opportunity…

Martin County hopes to increase access to computers and enhance skills and connectivity for all community members. There is a need for a better broadband opportunity and experience for our residents and businesses county wide. This will provide an opportunity that will benefit the residents and business in Martin County.

“On behalf of the Martin County EDA-IGNITE, we are excited that Martin County has been selected to become a Blandin Broadband Community. Broadband is an integral part of our infrastructure for our residents and businesses. We embrace the opportunity to work with the Blandin Foundation to enhance broadband in Martin County,” said Scott Higgins, Martin County Coordinator.

Leading their work is the Martin County Economic Development Agency. Together, with educational, nonprofit and business partners throughout the county, the EDA will rally local leaders to develop a sustainable model for broadband access and use in Martin County.

Just to help track progress, here are some recent stats on Martin County:

On broadband (Connect MN final stats from 2014):

Household Density: 12.4
Number of Households: 9,035
Percentage serviced (without mobile): 59.17%
Percentage serviced (with mobile): 59.17%

Census quick facts (from 2013):

Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2009-2013: $102,600
Per capita money income in past 12 months (2013 dollars), 2009-2013: $26,472
Persons below poverty level, percent, 2009-2013: 10.7%
Private nonfarm establishments, 2012: 614
Private nonfarm employment, 2012: 8,326

MHTA to detail legislative agenda on Feb 25

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Ann Treacy

Folks might be interested; the reception is open to everyone…

2015 MHTA Legislative Agenda announced | Minnesota High Tech Association
With the 2015 legislative session underway, MHTA has released its legislative agenda. Topping the list of MHTA’s legislative priorities include additional funding for both the Angel Investor tax credit and the R&D tax credit, increased investments in broadband, and renewed funding for the SciTechsperience Internship Program.

Specifically, MHTA proposes:

Increasing the second tier of the R&D tax credit from 2.5 percent to 4.0 percent.

Making the R&D tax credit refundable.

Increasing investments in the Angel investor tax credit to $22.5 million over FY2016-17.

Funding the SciTechsperience Internship Program at $2 million over FY2016-17.

As Minnesota competes with other states and countries around the world to attract innovative, high-tech companies, we must make strategic investments in areas that enhance our economic competitiveness. These proposed investments, and others, are necessary to help make Minnesota more economically competitive and propel it into one of the nation’s top five science and technology states. For a complete list of MHTA’s 2015 legislative priorities and public policy principles click here.

MHTA will introduce its legislative agenda to legislators and members of the Governor’s Cabinet at the February 25 MHTA and Life Science Alley (LSA) Legislative Reception. …

For more details on the 2015 MHTA/LSA Legislative Reception and to register click here.

Spoiler alert, here’s what they say about broadband…

Broadband
Goal: Expand the availability and use of broadband technology to grow new markets, enhance
educational access, improve quality of life, and provide Minnesota citizens and businesses the
capabilities necessary to compete in a dynamic global marketplace.
Action: Support recommendations of the Governor’s Broadband Task Force:
 Authorize $2.9 million for the Office of Broadband Development
 Authorize $200 million for a Border to Border Infrastructure Grant Program
 Create an Office of Broadband operating fund to promote broadband adoption and use
 Increase School and Library Telecommunications Aid
 Support efforts of schools utilizing 1:1 devices via development of best practices
 Make sales tax exemption for telecommunications permanent
 Review existing permitting criteria to see where there might be possibilities to streamline.

MN Broadband Fund Award: Region 5 Virtual Highway Project (Cass, Crow Wing and Morrison counties)

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Ann Treacy

Consolidated Telephone Cooperative (CTC), Region 5 Virtual Highway Project. Awarded $2 million to bring high-speed Internet to 247 unserved and 90 underserved premises in Cass, Crow Wing and Morrison counties. This is a shovel-ready first phase in a regional broadband development effort. The full project cost is $4.22 million. The remaining $2.22 million (53 percent) in matching funds will be supplied by a private investment made by CTC.

Community and Economic Development Impact: This project builds on a multi-sector, multi-year and multi-community strategic planning and implementation process for sustainable community and economic development led by the Region 5 Development Commission. Region 5 is the only region in the state where all five counties are classified as economically distressed.

Region Five (aka the Resilient Region) has been working hard on broadband for a while. They jumped on the discussion of broadband funds when Senator Schmit toured the state talking about the opportunity – even before he specifics of the grants were unveiled. In November, they were named one of 10 communities to the Blandin Broadband Community initiative. The Region is economically distressed but between the State funding for infrastructure and Blandin support for digital inclusion, they are in a great position to really push themselves ahead.

Just to help track progress, here are some recent stats on Cass, Crow Wing and Morrison Counties:

Cass

On broadband (Connect MN final stats from 2014):

Household Density: 4.9
Number of Households: 11,948
Percentage serviced (without mobile): 36.01%
Percentage serviced (with mobile): 37.70%

Census quick facts (from 2013):

Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2009-2013: $177,100
Per capita money income in past 12 months (2013 dollars), 2009-2013: $25,287
Persons below poverty level, percent, 2009-2013: 16.4%
Private nonfarm establishments, 2012: 802
Private nonfarm employment, 2012: 6251

Crow Wing

On broadband (Connect MN final stats from 2014):

Household Density: 22.5
Number of Households: 26,033
Percentage serviced (without mobile): 36.66%
Percentage serviced (with mobile): 59.76%

Census quick facts (from 2013):

Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2009-2013: $180,300
Per capita money income in past 12 months (2013 dollars), 2009-2013: $26,527
Persons below poverty level, percent, 2009-2013: 12.9%
Private nonfarm establishments, 2012: 2082
Private nonfarm employment, 2012: 25,368

Morrison

On broadband (Connect MN final stats from 2014):

Household Density: 11.3
Number of Households: 13,080
Percentage serviced (without mobile): 38.32%
Percentage serviced (with mobile): 38.44%

Census quick facts (from 2013):

Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2009-2013: $153,600
Per capita money income in past 12 months (2013 dollars), 2009-2013: $23,753
Persons below poverty level, percent, 2009-2013: 12.9%
Private nonfarm establishments, 2012: 888
Private nonfarm employment, 2012: 8,307

Blandin on Broadband

News and information on broadband use, policy, and trends

Monthly Archives: February 2015

Net Neutrality pros, cons and basics: Vote Feb 26

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Project FINE: frontlines of digital inclusion in Winona

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Houston County Broadband 2014 Update: strong educators but limited broadband

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Red Hot Hack March 21-22 in Red Wing MN

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Arvig’s take on government support for better broadband

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Kandiyohi County surveys residents on broadband use and interest

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Hennepin County Broadband 2014 Update: almost (but not quite!) ubiquitous coverage

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Notes from Fiber and Gigabit Networks Webinar

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Grant County Broadband 2014 Update: currently at about a B grade level

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Greater Minnesota Partnership talks rural broadband with Institute of Local Self Reliance

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MN Broadband Fund Award: A closer look around Halstad (Polk County)

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Strong Minnesota Presence at First Electric-Telco Partnership Summit

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MN Broadband Fund Award: A closer look at Martin County

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MHTA to detail legislative agenda on Feb 25

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MN Broadband Fund Award: Region 5 Virtual Highway Project (Cass, Crow Wing and Morrison counties)

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