Pine and Lakes Echo Journal reports…

Resilient Region leaders joined more than 150 broadband leaders from across rural Minnesota last month to compare approaches to expanding access to, and use of, high-speed internet.

Attending were Maureen Ideker of Essentia Health, Joe Buttweiler of Consolidated Telecommunications Co. and Dawn Espe and Cheryal Hills of the Region Five Development Commission

Research unveiled at the conference found that, combined, Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties could see more than $78.6 million in economic benefits over 15 years if broadband access and use improved. Tech expert Robert Gallardo, assistant director at the Purdue Center for Regional Development, produced profiles of all Minnesota counties using his Digital Divide Index.

As leaders in rural broadband work, work occurring in the Resilient Region was central to the conference sharing and learning. A past Blandin Broadband Community, Resilient Region leaders have invested in projects such as video conferencing equipment at the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corp. offices; tele-health training through the Essentia Health Foundation; a technology expo in Wadena; and mobile devices for early childhood programs in Brainerd Public Schools.

Communities are starting to see the direct economic impact of broadband investments like those in the Resilient Region, a news release stated. Blandin Foundation-commissioned research released at the conference analyzed these impacts in five rural Minnesota communities, including Crow Wing County.