Sherburne County recently received funds from the Blandin Foundation (through the Blandin Broadband Communities initiative) to support efforts to encourage better broadband in the area. They have built a website and Facebook page that does a nice job of positioning broadband as a tool that builds a better community.

Jolene Foss, Community Development Director at the City of Princeton was kind enough to tell me a little bit about how and why they started on the jounrey for better broadband…

The City of Princeton is unique in that it sits on the line Between Mille Lacs County and Sherburne County.  As I became more informed of the status of high speed, reliable and affordable internet in our community, I was shocked to find out how many residents are underserved, or completely unserved!  Businesses were suffering economically due to high rates and lost opportunities.  The students in our counties were struggling to complete assignments and do research from home, especially those who reside in rural locations. People couldn’t bank or take care of their online medical needs with poor internet service. Quality of life was being affected and some of the leaders of our community recognized a need for change.  The Blandin Foundation has graciously awarded these communities the resources needed to take necessary steps in the right direction. As a member of the Broadband Steering Committee for Sherburne County, our group decided to start a Community Outreach Subcommittee to educate and inform residents and elected officials on the importance of affordable reliable high speed internet service.  We would like to see people reach out to the elected officials and express the need for more funding to enhance partnerships between providers and other stakeholders.  These partnerships will pave the way for economic viability and secure our place in this fast paced world.  Our people deserve every advantage that anyone else gets.  We need to stay competitive if we want to see future success.