The presentation describes the strategy behind the application that Blandin Foundation is developing for ARRA funding. The focus is on the Sustainable Broadband project area. The goal is to bring together key Minnesota organizations to create a program that will fund a variety of market development, economic development and sustainable broadband practices in rural MN communities.

1. Blandin Foundation
Broadband Stimulus Initiative
Seeking funds for Sustainable Adoption
of Broadband Technologies in Greater
Minnesota

2. Our Goal
Receive $5 – $7 million in funding for all
of greater Minnesota for the purposes of
enhanced public access, increased market
development and sustained adoption of
broadband to increase community vitality
and economic competitiveness

3. Confirmed and Prospective Partners
• Regional Development • Regional Library Systems
Commissions • E-government, e-health, e-
• University of MN Extension commerce, e-education
• MNSCU application vendors
• MN Renewable Energy • MTA (considering letter of
Marketplace support)
• MN Initiative Foundations • Broadband Demonstration
Communities
• MN DEED
– Workforce • MWFCA
– SBDC • Your organization?

4. Our Application Framework
Intelligent Communities

5. The ICF Virtuous Cycle
INNOVATION

6. Statewide Activities
• Enhanced public access at libraries and
community centers
• E-entrepreneurship / small business training
and support
• Support community broadband initiatives in:
– Community planning
– Market development
– Application development
– Feasibility studies

7. Broadband Demonstration Communities
• 6 – 10 greater Minnesota Communities
• Funds for adoption of community-impacting
technology applications (health, education,
government, business)
• Community may be city, county, region or
reservation
• Requires community commitment of key
partners, including providers

8. http://broadband.blandinfoundation.org
Bill Coleman
bill@communitytechnologyadvisors.com
651-491-2551