Thanks to Karl Samp for the update on BBC Community, Nobles County…

We met at the BAC building. The group has met all of their priority projects IDed through Visioning.

• The Robust Network Feasibility grant addressed about 5 of them, and is progressing nicely with the help of Finley Consulting – Slayton Office which specializes in Fiber projects.
• Community WiFi – in partnership with MVTV- 9, 5 MB Wireless Hot Spots will be available free throughout the County so that no resident/student has more than 10 minutes to drive to get a free signal. First one is lighting up this week.
• Digital Literacy Class at MN West – Curriculum is developed and it’s going through the academic approval process. It’s on schedule for Spring Semester Roll-out for juniors and seniors in high school for wo transferrable credits.
• Community Ed. Classes are on the calendar and underway.
• NCIC – Computers/devices ordered. Classes in various languages will start in January.

Potential Projects:

• Wiring BAC community center
• Library technology upgrade. Clint was in Rock County working on this when he moved to Luverne, and is in touch with other BBC Libraries (Jackson and Redwood) about ideas. He expects to be applying for some mobile devises (probably combo of laptops and pads) in the range of $7-9K. Match available may determine that amount.
• MyOn – On-Line literacy programs for preschool and elementary age at Worthington Public Schools.
• They would like to apply for another $1000 for Admin. funds. Due to how far they are from conf./gatherings, they have gone through their funds, and would like to continue to be able to cover travel costs for volunteers.  – OK?

Finally there was discussion about the CAF II build out. CenturyLink is active there, and has some plans for build out, but the maps were not very helpful to the Feasibility Study Group. They have spoken to CenturyLink and are trying to learn more.