Blandin Foundation has just posted an updated version of the Blandin Broadband Communities project matrix. It includes brief descriptions of projects supported by Blandin and deployed by BBC participants. I’ll paste an abbreviated form of the matrix below – but it’s easier to read on the Blandin website…
| Community | Project Name | Project Description |
| Cannon Falls | Cannon Falls Local Foods Initiative | Project support to define, develop and position a brand that promotes Cannon Falls as the local food capital of Minnesota emphasizing the recreational, scenic, and healthy living assets of the community. |
| Koochiching Technology Initiative | Backus Conferencing Upgrades | Project support to upgrade interactive videoconferencing equipment and capabilities at the Backus Community Center. |
| Koochiching Technology Initiative | Internet for the Homeless | Project support to improve internet access at Servants of Shelter, which provides emergency shelter to individuals and families in Koochiching County. The upgraded capacity will allow clients to research employment, education and housing opportunities. |
| Koochiching Technology Initiative | KCC TV Local Media: Local Lives | Project support to increase locally-generated and relevant media content that reflects the lived experience and perspective of county residents available on Koochiching County Community Television by building a coalition of students and other residents trained to use cameras and editing equipment. |
| Koochiching Technology Initiative | Birchdale Coworking Space | Project support to promote entrepreneurship and improve internet access and use by adding a co-working space to the Birchdale Community Building in the unincorporated community of Birchdale. Residents can reserve the internet-enabled facility to conduct business, host meetings or attend online classes. The space will utilize the community building’s internet and other facilities. |
| Koochiching Technology Initiative | Coworking Meetups | Project support for creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship by helping Ballan’s iSpace, a new co-working facility in downtown International Falls, offer relevant programming in partnership with the International Falls Public Library and Borderland Young Professionals. Partners will host weekly gatherings of mutual support to share knowledge, build skills, network, and inspire one another. |
| Koochiching Technology Initiative | The Library Reaches Into the Community | Project support to increase broadband adoption and use by helping the International Falls Public Library expand its services in the community, including through improved Wi-Fi access at Smokey Bear Park, six LinkedIn Learning mobile internet subscriptions for check-out, expanded reference service to texting and LiveChat, and the addition of Adobe Creative Cloud software for use by patrons in the library’s new recording studio. |
| Rock County | Library Hotspots | Project support to provide five mobile Wi-Fi hotspots for check-out free-of-charge to library patrons. |
| Rock County | Blue Mound Towers Computer Lab | Project support to provide computer access to tenants at the Blue Mound Tower, a 70-unit income-based housing facility in Luverne. Tenants will be encouraged to attend computer training classes at the Rock County Senior Center or Community Library. |
| Rock County | School Bus Wi-Fi Implementation | Project support to improve public internet access and use by installing wireless routers on ten Luverne school buses and four Hills-Beaver Creek school buses, allowing student riders access to homework and projects via smart devices. |
| Rock County | Educational Videos and Classroom Tech Training | Project support to improve public digital literacy and technical sophistication by creating and publishing on the internet a series of locally contextualized and informed educational videos. |
| Rock County | Sr. Center Computer Lab | Project support to establish a six-computer lab in a newly renovated senior facility in Luverne. |
| Rock County | Ag Tech Day | Project support to design and host a day-long community workshop on various ag tech topics. |
| Rock County | Community Ed Technology Upgrade | Project support to purchase a quality laptop computer compatible with Community Ed’s wall-mounted flat screen TV, allowing instructors to demonstrate internet access, websites and other media for their students. |
| Rock County | Additional PCs for People Computers | Project support to purchase ten additional refurbished computers from PCs for People to distribute to community members in need. |
| Rock County | County Fair Booth | Project support to increase awareness of and engagement in Rock County’s Blandin Broadband Community projects through a booth at the Rock County Fair. |
| Rock County | Social Media Optimization | Project support to offer social media training and coaching to ten businesses and ten organizations in Rock County. |
| Rock County | Blue Mound State Park Wi-Fi | Project support to improve public access to the internet by providing free public Wi-Fi at Blue Mound State Park campground. |
| Rock County | Hardwick Campground Wi-Fi | Project support to improve public access to the internet by providing free public Wi-Fi at the Hardwick campground. |
| Rock County | Hills Campground Wi-Fi | Project support to improve public access to the internet by providing free public Wi-Fi at the Hills campground. |
| Rock County | Magnolia Campground Wi-Fi | Project support to improve public access to the Internet by providing free public Wi-Fi at the Magnolia campground. |
| Rock County | Beaver Creek Baseball Field Wi-Fi | Project support to improve public access to the Internet by providing free public Wi-Fi at the Beaver Creek baseball field and park. |
| Rock County | SWMHC/Avera Health Distance Learning and Telemedicine | Project support to improve access to distance learning and mental health care services through the purchase of telemedicine equipment. |
| Rock County | Jasper Campground Wi-Fi | Project support to improve public access to the Internet by providing free public Wi-Fi at the Jasper campground. |
| Rock County | Technology Classes | Project support to improve digital skills and literacy by offering a series of technology-focused community education classes based on community interests and needs. |
| Swift County | Training for CNC and Welding | Project support to offer a five-week Weld and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) certificate program to Swift County residents through a combination of online, classroom and shop experience. |
| Swift County | Digital Marketing Consulting | Project support to improve local business profitability by engaging seven small business owners (selected through an application process) in hands-on consulting to develop and implement affordable website and social media strategies, resulting in increased brand awareness and customer base. |
| Swift County | Community Websites | Project support to develop customized community profiles and websites for Swift County cities without current websites, including Clontarf, Danvers, DeGraff, and Holloway. |
| Swift County | STEM Camp for Kids | Project support for a low-cost summer STEM Camp for children entering 2nd through 7th grade utilizing proven curriculum provided by the National Inventors Hall of Fame to enhance kids’ skills in the areas of robotics, coding, and other STEM areas. |
| Swift County | 4-H Extension Mobile App | Project support to create a mobile app allowing r 4-H families across Swift County to easily access 4-H information and resources; including schedules, show programs, results, event sign-up, and training. |
| Swift County | Digital Marketing for Community & Economic Dev. Orgs | Project support to convene an ongoing peer communication/marketing roundtable where tools and best practices can be shared, and communication strategies aligned to strengthen community and economic development. |
| East Range Joint Powers Board | Portable Training Lab | Project support to develop a mobile training lab to provide computer/technology training and job search skills to East Range residents. |
| East Range Joint Powers Board (ERJPB) | ERJPB Website | Project support to create a new website to better inform the community about East Range Joint Powers Board and community activities, including the Blandin Broadband Community, with the goal of promoting cooperation across communities, creating a centralized point for information about telecommunications technology in the region, and raising awareness about ERJPB-supported broadband work on the East Range. |
| East Range Joint Powers Board | East Range Business Retention and Expansion Visits | Project support to solicit input from area business on their broadband familiarity, use, needs, etc.; and to seek to engage them in the BBC process, and strengthen the case for greater connectivity on the East Range. |
| East Range Joint Powers Board | Public Wi-Fi | Project support to improve internet access by expanding public Wi-Fi access in areas inside and outside of public buildings at the City of Biwabik, and libraries in the cities of Hoyt Lakes and Aurora. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | Gilbert Campground | Project support to improve public access to the internet through the installation of a fiber connection to the Gilbert Campground and of a free public internet access point. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | Digital Marketing / Technology Audits for Area Businesses | Project support to improve the online presence and profitability of ten local businesses by providing technical assistance, including an audit of the businesses’ current technology platforms, websites, and use of social media. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | Chamber Technology Upgrades | Project support to improve the ability of the Chamber of Commerce to host businesses and chamber members for meetings and events through the purchase of a new computer with upgraded software, projector, screen and a Bluetooth conferencing unit. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | PCs for People Distribution Event Enhancement | Project support to improve digital literacy skills of local residents through training, education and other support to the recipients of computers distributed by PCs for People as part of the Blandin Broadband Community Program. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | Wi-Fi in the Parks | Project support to improve public access to the internet by installing Wi-Fi hotspots in three public parks in the cities of Eveleth, Gilbert, and Virginia. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | Small Business Saturday App | Project support to improve small local business profitability on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year through the development of an app that shoppers can use to learn about local options and enable participating businesses to share promotional offers. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | Virtual Interview Room | Project support to increase employment opportunities for people using the Workforce Center by providing a remote interview cubicle with a computer, camera, and microphone. The equipment may also be used for training purposes, specifically on interview skills. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | Interactive Television | Project support to increase access to training by installing an interactive television (ITV) at the Workforce Center to allow staff and the public to videoconference, participate in remote trainings, increase training opportunities, reduce travel costs, etc. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | Safe, Accessible Public Wi-Fi | Project support to improve access to the internet by providing dedicated, comfortable, and safe spaces in three public locations in Eveleth where residents, visitors and guests can access Wi-Fi. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | Wi-Fi on Buses in the Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia Schools | Project support to improve public internet access and use by installing Wi-Fi on school buses, allowing students who rely on school bus transportation access for school work. |
| Laurentian Chamber of Commerce | Fayal Township Website Upgrade | Project support to create a new, upgraded website for Fayal Township that will allow features such as a community calendar, forms and permit applications for download, and enable better communication between residents and Township officials. |
| Iron Range Tourism Bureau | Internet Access Assessment | Project support to conduct an assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of internet connectivity at area attractions, lodging, campgrounds, and trails. |
| Iron Range Tourism Bureau | Talent Attraction Microsite | Project support to create and market a fun and informative microsite on Iron Range Tourism Bureau’s website that will provide needed information for those seeking to relocate to the area, including housing, daycare, what to expect during winter, etc. |
| Iron Range Tourism Bureau | Local Pride Campaign | Project support to launch a social marketing campaign to promote local pride and a positive sense of place. |
| Iron Range Tourism Bureau | Small Business Trainings | Project support to improve the technology and online marketing skills of tourism businesses to enhance their profitability through one-on-one trainings. |
| Iron Range Tourism Bureau | Interactive Arts Map | Project support to create an interactive online map to showcase and promote the work of local artists, cultural opportunities, and cultural sites in the region. |
| Iron Range Tourism Bureau | Virtual Reality Mine Tour | Project support to create an interactive, virtual mine tour experience so visitors can learn about the mining process and history via technology. |
| Tower EDA | Workstation for Public Access | Project support to improve public access to the internet by providing a workstation with a computer and printer in the new community room at the Breitung town hall. |
| Tower EDA | Hoo Doo Point Campground Wi-Fi | Project support to improve public access to the internet by providing Wi-Fi throughout Hoo Doo Point Campground. |
| Tower EDA | Broadband Access to the Tower Depot and Farmer’s Market | Project support to improve public access to the internet by providing Wi-Fi access to people using the Tower Depot for information, and to Farmer’s Market participants and visitors. |
| Tower EDA | School and Community Connectivity | Project support to improve digital literacy skills and technology use by creating and supporting a mobile computer lab and AV display for the Tower-Soudan Elementary School media center that will be accessible to the community as well as students. |
| Tower EDA | Senior / Public / Student Access Computer Lab | Project support to improve digital literacy skills and technology use by creating a 12-computer lab and AV display that can be used by the school, as an internet café for AEOA Senior Dining clients, and the general public through Tower-Soudan Community Ed classes and VCS after school parental involvement classes. |
| Tower EDA | Interactive Field Trip and Music Lab | Project support to improve digital literacy skills and training opportunities for students and the public by expanding the Vermilion School computer lab into a space that can be used for interactive educational and community education programming, virtual field trips, visits with scientists and writers, along with technology to create a digital music lab, including a digital piano and other instruments. |
| Tower EDA | Smartboards in our Classrooms | Project support to improve technology use by installing Smartboards in VCS classrooms, particularly math and science rooms, and to take full advantage of the new fiber optic capabilities to the school building. |
| Laurentian / Tower / East Range | Laurentian-Tower-East Range (LTE) Broadband Feasibility Study | Project support to explore options to expand broadband infrastructure and services by conducting a feasibility study throughout the Quad Cities / Tower / East Range JPB area. They will also use this process to identify potential partners to provide these services. |
| Aitkin County | Wi-Fi Hotspot in Jacobson Community Center | Project support to increase public access to the internet by installing a 25 megabit-per-second Wi-Fi hotspot in the Jacobson Community Center; a hub that hosts many local events and is an East Central Regional Library remote site. |
| Aitkin County | High-Speed Broadband at LLCC | Project support to install high-speed fiber optic broadband at the Long Lake Conservation Center, enabling higher internet speeds and increased educational programming. |
| Aitkin County | Increase MyChart Usage at Riverwood Healthcare Center | Project support to increase the use of the MyChart online patient portal amongst patients and caregivers at Riverwood Healthcare Center, which allows patients better access to their electronic health records, and to schedule appointments, contact their provider, view test results, monitor health maintenance, etc. |
| Aitkin County | Enhance Interactive Community Conference Centers | Project support to increase access to training and decrease meeting travel by enhancing and expanding the existing interactive capabilities at the well-used community conference centers in Aitkin and McGregor by adding interactive cameras to allow for onsite and offsite use. |
| Chisholm | Wi-Fi Hotspots for Check-out | Project support to increase students’ access to the internet at home by making hotspots available for check-out by students at the Chisholm Public School Library. |
| Chisholm | Distance Learning Program | Project support to improve Minnesota Discovery Center’s public outreach by establishing a distance learning program related to Iron Range history and natural history for remote audiences, including a mobile cart with video conferencing capabilities |
| Ely | Google Local Listings | Project support to create a website to showcase Ely to prospective residents, businesses, and visitors, including information on cost of living, the arts, restaurants, churches, business opportunities, infrastructure, etc. |
| Ely | Community Building Skilllshares | Project support to improve local business profitability through free professional training on internet and social media use offered through Ten Below Coworking. |
| Ely | Proximity Beacons | Project support to promote local events and businesses by using Wi-Fi enabled Bluetooth proximity beacons to deliver fun, interactive and unique experiences to park visitors. |
| Ely | Ely through my Eyes | Project support to kick-off a promotional video series with four episodes that highlight Ely through diverse stories of the unique characters found within the community. |
| Ely | Arts Directory | Project support to promote area artists by creating a web-directory that will link artists, art consumers, and material providers in an easy-to-access and easy-to-maintain website. |
| Ely | Ely Meetup | Project support to increase the sophistication of Ely’s web presence through the use of Meetup.com software by businesses and organizations to consolidate and post all community event listings online in one location. |
| Grizzlies (Bois Forte, Cook, Orr) | Community Education | Project support to increase internet access, digital literacy and technology use by providing adult education classes and public Wi-Fi at the Orr Center. |
| Grizzlies | Wi-Fi Hotspots and Adult Education | Project support to increase internet access, digital literacy and technology use by providing public Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi hotspots for check-out, and technology training and activities at the Cook Library. |
| Grizzlies | QuickBooks Business Training | Project support to improve business technology skills by providing technical training and support for small business owners on QuickBooks. |
| Grizzlies | Native Video Archive | Project support to establish a Native Video Archiving program with videos of various events so future generations can see, about learn about culturally significant activity throughout the reservation. |
| Grizzlies | Grizzlies Sports Blog and Website | Project support to provide digital literacy and skills to students and community members through training in journalism, web design, and blogging while promoting a sense of one-ness between the three communities in the North Woods school district by establishing a webpage designed specifically to cover all Grizzlies sporting events and programs. |
| Hibbing | Aging in Place Through Technology | Project support to increase internet use by utilizing smart home technology to create environmental control and enhance safety and security within homes to allow seniors to successfully age in place. |
| Hibbing | Public Housing / Downtown Mesh Wi-Fi Network | Project support to increase public access to the internet by providing affordable Wi-Fi to up to 60 low-income families at the public housing facility, with the potential to provide free access in public areas and to businesses in the downtown area within two blocks of the facility. |
| Hibbing | Monthly Business Meetup Meetings | Project support to increase the profitability of Hibbing area businesses by offering free monthly meetups with paid facilitators that focus on topics such as entrepreneurship, financial management, human resources, marketing, workflow mgmt, and technology. |
| Hibbing | iPads in Emergency Dept, Hibbing Fire Dept, and Ambulances | Project support to provide critical visual connectivity between first responders and emergency department providers by placing iPads in the Fairview Range Emergency Room, six Hibbing Fire Dept vehicles, three Nashwauk ambulances, and two Chisholm ambulances. |
| Hibbing | Serenity House iPad | Project support to provide internet access to patients and family members visiting Hibbing for cancer treatments by offering two iPads and a hotspot at Serenity House. |
| Mt. Iron-Buhl | Internet Upgrades | Project support to increase internet access and digital literacy skills by expanding Wi-Fi throughout the Mesabi Family YMCA facility, offering science and technology programs for youth, and through implementing the Open Y platform which allows for more up-to-date website, apps, etc. |
| Mt. Iron-Buhl | Environmental Community Learning Center | Project support to invite and encourage students and community members to engage with technology to enrich their environment learning by establishing an outdoor learning lab with 12 GPS units, geocaching containers, a weather station, and a community greenhouse. |
| Mt. Iron-Buhl | Technology Inspired Design Program | Project support to improve digital literacy and technology skills by making the school’s STEM Lab available and accessible to the broader population, and to develop a multi-facetted approach to teaching students and community members about the endless creative possibilities of using the internet and design software. |
| Mt. Iron-Buhl | Collaborative Community Journalism | Project support to improve digital literacy and technology skills by showcasing the school’s technology to teach community members and students to develop and produce various types of videos, social media, advertisements, posters and more. |
| Mt. Iron-Buhl | City Services App | Project support to develop an app for of the City of Mountain Iron to provide a wide variety of information to its residents. |
Blandin on Broadband 