Thanks to the presenters and attendees for joining the latest Blandin Broadband Leadership Webinar:  Feasibility Studies. Here we have the description, video archive, slides and chat transcript (get handouts)…

Learn about the feasibility study process can guide community leaders through the process of creating the best possible broadband development project for your community or county.  A feasibility study should be a decision-making funnel, based on a community’s vision, that clarifies choices around technology options, project partners and financial viability.

Mark Mrla of Finley Engineering will discuss the process that Finley uses to lead communities through the feasibility study process with an emphasis on achieving the desired positive outcome of improved broadband access.  Finley has been involved in many successful Border to Border grant applications, serving as a bridge between communities and broadband providers.

Le Sueur County participated in the 2019 Minnesota Broadband Conference’s planning charrette and followed up that exercise with a countywide feasibility study with Finley as the selected consultant.  Barbara Droher Kline, community broadband champion in Le Sueur County, will share her perspective and lessons learned through her county’s broadband journey that led to a significant state broadband grant last fall and continuing pursuit of 100 percent broadband coverage across the county.

Click to access le-sueur-6.pdf

Webinar chat:

• Ann Treacy: there is already a push for “unwired” solutions in mnleg
• Ann Treacy: https://blandinonbroadband.org/2020/04/16/mn-bill-sf4472-introduced-today-april-16-modifies-broadband-grants-to-include-50-unserved-calls-out-nonwired-solutions/
• Swan Ray: Wireless seems like a stop gap solution.
• Mary Magnuson: By the way, there are links to Blandin resources on Feasibility Studies in this week’s webinar worksheets: https://blandinfoundation.org/content/uploads/Week-4-Leadership-Webinar-worksheets.docx