Now What? Regional Gatherings Report Out: Next steps for Minnesota’s regions
Building on the regional report-outs from Days One and Two, broadband champions discuss what we can do together to organize for better broadband for all, elected officials respond, and everybody weighs in on next steps.

• Jim Retka, Northwest RDC & Antonio Franklin, Headwaters RDC – Northwest & Headwaters: Regions 1, 2
• Whitney Ridlon, MN Dept of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation – Arrowhead: Region 3 minus Aitkin County
• Greg Wagner, West Central Initiative Foundation – West Central: Region 4
• Michelle Marotzke, Mid-Minnesota Development Commission – Upper MN Valley, Mid-Minnesota, and Southwest: Regions 6W, 6E, 8
• Lezlie Sauter, Pine County EDA – East Central: Region 7E plus Aitkin County
• Laura Kangas, Arvig – Central: Region 7W
• Brenda Johnson, Southeastern MN League of Municipalities – Southeast & South Central: Regions 9, 10

From the session chat:

Regional Gatherings

10:57:12 From  nancy hoffman  to  Everyone: Sorry I have to leave early.  Thanks for a great conference.

11:04:53 From  Benya Kraus  to  Everyone: Yes, ditto to thanks!

11:05:34 From  Mary Magnuson (she/her)  to  Everyone: This session’s panelists are listed here at the bottom of the page: https://blandinfoundation.org/programs/broadband/annual-conference-2021/thursday-october-14/

11:23:11 From  Yvonne Cariveau  to  Everyone: It will also help them see their neighbors with broadband and that sometimes helps move things forward…well, THEY have that and are growing…

11:23:51 From  Michelle Marotzke  to  Everyone: Great point, Yvonne. Peer pressure isn’t always bad, right? ☺️

11:25:13 From  Brenda Johnson SEMLM  to  Everyone: Yes to Yvonne and Michelle! 🙂

11:28:26 From  Becky Lourey  to  Everyone: How do cabin owners contribute to these efforts ?

11:29:11 From  Jane Leonard  to  Everyone: Join/support the Coalition here! Keep the rural voice strong! https://mnruralbroadbandcoalition.com/

11:31:05 From  Jane Leonard  to  Everyone: https://mnruralbroadbandcoalition.com/organizational-members

11:32:15 From  Jane Leonard  to  Everyone: https://mnruralbroadbandcoalition.com/become-a-member

11:34:20 From  Benya Kraus  to  Everyone: Have there been good examples of communities having residents individually “pledge” to get connected in order to pitch providers on a reliable take rate?

11:34:51 From  Benya Kraus  to  Everyone: is that actually helpful to providers?

11:37:57 From  Benya Kraus  to  Everyone: Always appreciate how you ground your comments in examples, Whitney.

11:37:58 From  Jane Leonard  to  Everyone: Yes Benya, that’s happened as part of the state broadband grants — I know of a NW Minn example with Wikstrom Telephone, and Nancy — isn’t that what happened in the township in Chisago County (Fish Lake? — can’t remember the name of the township)

11:38:09 From  Ariana Rosas  to  Everyone: Lezlie, did you say 5500 households?

11:39:26 From  Ariana Rosas  to  Everyone: haha no worries. thanks for that.

11:40:06 From  Ann Treacy  to  Everyone: link to profiles https://blandinonbroadband.org/2021mnbroadband/

11:41:12 From  Ariana Rosas  to  Everyone: Thank you.

11:42:47 From  Bill Coleman  to  Everyone: Benya, many of the Co-ops have this type of pledge form as part of a survey that they have on their web sites.  Here is an example.  https://join.connectctc.com Communities can also gather this data in a more provider-neutral effort by asking survey respondents to provide their email, phone and address as someone who wants broadband.  Using GIS mapping tools, it is very illustrative for providers to see “green dots” on a map as prospective customers.

11:44:06 From  Mary Magnuson (she/her)  to  Everyone: Before you go — please complete our day 3 conference evaluation: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GFQMVD5

11:45:58 From  Benya Kraus  to  Everyone: Thanks, all. The CTC link is really fantastic!

11:46:26 From  Benya Kraus  to  Everyone: https://jamboard.google.com/d/1K0cXJ9jvr39vmPvTiH1wEGYZAk2C4IOsXa2_Pk9pLa0/edit?usp=sharing

11:50:05 From  Benya Kraus  to  Everyone: Feel free to type your commitments into the chat if you’d prefer that over using Jam Board

11:50:09 From  Benya Kraus  to  Everyone: I will add them to the board!

11:54:09 From  Jane Leonard  to  Everyone: Keep the broadband equity stories circulating to all of us thru the MN Equity Map — please add your story at https://www.growthandjustice.org/mnequitymap

11:54:56 From  Yvonne Cariveau  to  Everyone: Just placed my Amazon order for his book!

11:55:14 From  Jason Walkowiak  to  Everyone: love the jamboard!

11:56:34 From  Cheryl Glaeser  to  Everyone: Thank you, Blandin and everyone for good discussions!

11:56:48 From  Mary Magnuson (she/her)  to  Everyone: Again, the evaluation: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GFQMVD5

11:57:06 From  Marc Johnson  to  Everyone: Thank you for these great presentations and conversations!

11:57:16 From  Anne Brataas  to  Everyone: Another fantastic idea fest, thank you!

11:57:21 From  Timothy Furr  to  Everyone: Thank you this was fabulous

11:57:26 From  Yvonne Cariveau  to  Everyone: Thanks Bernadine!

11:57:40 From  Brenda Nyberg  to  Everyone: Thank you so much for all of the inspiring content!!!

11:57:46 From  Paul Nasvik  to  Everyone: Thank you!

11:57:48 From  Mary Magnuson (she/her)  to  Everyone: Stay tuned for a wrap-up email with links!

11:57:51 From  Scott Cole-Collectivity  to  Everyone: Well done!!

11:57:56 From  Scott Schlueter – Le Sueur City Council  to  Everyone: thank you

11:57:59 From  Yvonne Cariveau  to  Everyone: Great choice Jane

11:58:06 From  Becky Lourey  to  Everyone: you are wonderful Benya

11:59:23 From  Yvonne Cariveau  to  Everyone: Bye all, have a great rest of your day

11:59:23 From  Jason Walkowiak  to  Everyone: Thanks guys!