Category Archives: IRRRB

E-marketing training changed this Hibbing business completely

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Broadband can help businesses but two things need to happen. First, you have to have adequate broadband. Two, you have to know what to do with it. I spend more time talking about getting broadband here, but I enjoy the stories of using it too.

The Hibbing Daily Tribune recent posted a story of seven businesses in Hibbing that received digital marketing…

Businesses were selected through a contest. In addition to Cobb Cook Grocery, small business assisted in round one included: Range Steel Fabricators, Pink Tie Design, Andy’s Auto Sales, Benders Shoes, Range Floral and Sunrise Bakery.

All combined, the businesses received $20,500 worth of consulting hours, according to Lory Fedo, president of the Chamber and co-chair of the Hibbing Broadband Steering Committee.

“Consultant Molly Solberg did an incredible job providing about 20 hours of time to each business, training them to bring their technology to the next level,” said Fedo. “Our goal was not to do the upgrade for them, but to teach them how to do it themselves so that they can continue to improve and grow after Molly is done.”

Andy Koschak of Andy’s Auto Sales said the training changed his business completely.

The project was part of the Iron Range Broadband Community project…

The consulting was a broadband project funded through the Blandin Foundation and the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources, according to the Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce. Early December marked the completion of round one of the customized small business digital marketing consulting.

As one of six Iron Range Broadband Communities, Hibbing leaders have completed a process to identify the community’s top technology priorities and create projects to address them.

The Hibbing Broadband Steering Committee submitted these customized consulting and several other projects for funding in 2017.

Check out the Internet to bring home at Hibbing and Chisholm libraries

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Fun news from the Hibbing Daily Tribune…

The Hibbing and Chisholm public libraries recently broadened their capabilities offerings by adding Internet resources for patrons, thanks to a broadband grant [from the Blandin Foundation].

Hibbing Public Library received 20 wireless hot spots and a year of data for the devices this week through funds from the Blandin Foundation in cooperation with Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRRB), St. Louis County, Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce, Congressman Rick Nolan’s office and library staff.

The project has a value of nearly $10,000, according to a press release.

The goal is to close the digital divide on the Iron Range…

“The wireless hot spots are intended to decrease the digital divide in Hibbing between those who have access to Internet and those who do not,” said Lory Fedo, president of the Hibbing Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Hibbing Broadband Steering Committee.

She noted the devices will be available for checkout around Jan. 1, 2018, and can be used to access the internet anywhere Sprint wireless service is provided.

Putting mobile Internet devices into the hands of those who don’t have access has been identified as one of the community’s top technology priorities. This was determined through a process by the Hibbing Broadband Steering Committee and projects were created to address those priorities.

Strut Your Stuff Broadband Tour in Ely: Community portal, feasibility, PCs for People

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Three broadband visits in one day! We met with the Ely Thursday night. I didn’t record most of the introductions but I wanted to include the comment from one attendee talking about what brought her to the meeting and the broadband effort…

Ely is known for being divisive but broadband is an issue that we can all agree on. We need it. We need it now! It’s nice to be pushing in the same direction to get broadband – even with folks with whom we don’t always agree.

And my notes… Continue reading →

Strut Your Stuff Broadband Tour in Hibbing: Business training, wifi, feasibility study

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This afternoon I got to spend time with folks in Hibbing to hear about how they are building greater interest and great use of broadband. It was great to hear about the projects and hear how the projects have allowed people to connect with parts of their community that hadn’t been part of their regular lives previously. Broadband connects people online and off!

Feasibility study

  • Neo Connect – Diana Cruse
  • They will do the feasibility and be prepared to turn it into a MN state grant application.
  • The cost is $93,000
  • There are 13 communities involved in the feasibility study all in the Iron Range.
  • Kick off meeting is tomorrow.

Hibbing schols has a 1-to-1 program

  • We were able to increase public wifi.
  • Going to look at places with wifi and see if we can expand wif for public at certain times. We can broadcast that info – so people can go to the college (for example) as opposed to McDonald’s.
  • We are getting mobile hotspots for library so that folks can check them out. We’re going to test and map based on vendors.

Online marketing for small businesses

  • 7 bus owners working on e-marketing – starting with a contest
  • We will be measuring results – are they making more money?

Technology Career Fair – November 7

  • Invite HS students to learn about tech jobs
  • Expecting 300 students

Have speakers lined up

  • Medical
  • Security
  • Manufacturing
  • Social Media marketing

PCs for People

  • They will deliver 53 computers on Aug 16
  • Computers will go to everyone from kids to seniors and ABE students.
  • Compudyne will offer tech support.

Hey – what about a technology fair for adults?

Strut Your Stuff Broadband Tour Chisholm MN: Back of the bus view of rural broadband

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Today I got to bus ride around Chisholm. The video is horrible – because I was on a school bus! But when you can hear the stories – it’s absolutely worth it to listen to what life without broadband is like for local citizens and how they are working to make the broadband situation better for everyone.

And my notes… Continue reading →

Want to learn all about Ely – including broadband? Check out MPR on July 13

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Yesterday I woke up and had a lovely walk in the fields of Luverne and visited a livestock operation. (To be fair looks beautiful, smells strongly.) I ended my day back in St Paul with a little minor league baseball and a walk home past the majestic St Paul Cathedral. BUT most folks don’t get to see so many side of Minnesota that way. So I’m thrilled that MPR (MN Public Radio) is featuring a day in Ely on July 13. It’s a good chance to remember that Minnesota isn’t only your own backyard.

They are planning a live broadcast on Thursday, July 13 (11 am to 1 pm) from Whiteside Park in Ely – followed by broadcasts from our Classical service and The Current. It’s a good chance for anyone with a radio to learn about one corner of the state and I happen to know broadband is on their short list of topics to discuss. (Hope that wasn’t a secret!)

Careful readers may remember that Ely is part of the IRBC project. With support and guidance from Blandin and IRRR, the community is working on ways to better use broadband in the area. It’s been a great way to unite a community that doesn’t always see eye to eye with their neighbors.

Want to learn more? Set your dial to MPR on July 13!

Ely enthusiastically pursues Blandin Broadband opportunity

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The Blandin foundation is working with the IRRRB to select four communities in the IRRRB area to focus on improving broadband.

According to the Ely Echo, Ely is striving to be one of those four…

Numerous area entities, ranging from the Ely School District and Morse Township to Vermilion Community College, have endorsed Ely’s efforts to become one of a handful of regional communities to obtain Blandin funding.

Fedo talked of a set-up in which the city of Ely could take the lead, perhaps in accord with a private partner who could use the city utility and provide the service.

It’s a proactive approach, said Fedo, “rather than waiting for somebody to propose a solution on our behalf.”

Fedo indicated a successful application could lead to “some sort of providing service within the downtown corridor” within six-to-12 months.

Mayor Chuck Novak strongly endorsed the effort, noting his own involvement in various efforts to bring broadband to Ely, including a fiber-to-the-premise initiative that was squelched several years ago after other participating communities dropped out.

“I actually have some hope now,” said Novak.

It’s interesting to hear the strong and widespread desire for the community to “take the lead” in their broadband future. They seem interested in a private partner but that idea of being part of the decision-making is strong.