BROADBAND COMMUNITIES is the leading source of information on digital and broadband technologies for buildings and communities. Our editorial aims to accelerate the deployment of Fiber-To-The-Home and Fiber-To-The-Premises.
Issue link: https://bbcmag.epubxp.com/i/232134
Photo: Blandin Foundation Schoolchildren in Stevens County, Minn., participate in a distance learning program. and Internet connection, another recipient explained that the computer was going to be a Christmas present for her child; receiving it meant that she wouldn't have to choose between buying gifts or feeding her kids over the Christmas break. BUILDING A KNOWLEDGE WORKFORCE Cook County opened a computer lab as part of a higher-education, distance learning partnership. During the project's 18 months, the site provided 21 training sessions attended by 185 people in this remote community with a population of 1,351. Te lab continues to be available to all community residents and is used as a public Internet access site and distance learning resource. Te partnership ofers credit courses from more than 25 institutions of higher learning. MARKETING AND ADVOCACY A local-access television station in Itasca County upgraded its software, hardware and website interface to live stream and archive public meetings online. Te move has improved access to these meetings for permanent and seasonal residents. Several other communities enhanced their government and business online presences, including Windom in far southwest Minnesota, which planned, launched and maintains the Finding Windom community portal Web presence. Here is a sampling of some the voices of rural Minnesotans who participated in MIRC refecting on the impact of these broadband adoption eforts on their overall community vitality: "Tese technology classes have encouraged our Hispanic and Somali immigrants to interact, really for the frst time." –Fatima Said, Project FINE, Winona, Minn. "We've turned a corner and become a community that's actually growing and thriving, instead of stagnant and dying, with what we've learned from the MIRC program." –Kristin Fake, owner, Just a Stage/Second Stage home staging, Akeley, Minn. "MIRC eforts have really contributed to creating a 'culture of use' amongst tribal members. Overall, MIRC has helped the Leech Lake Reservation increase the economic vitality of our community. Tribal community members are more familiar with the tools of broadband and the economic opportunities that are available." –Mike Jones, Chief of Staf to Tribal Chair, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Walker, Minn. "Tis efort has helped us develop wonderful community connections. We have reached out to our whole community." –Keri Bergeston, Principal, Dawson/Boyd (Minn.) High School "Tis project has permanently changed the way we think and the way we work together." –Della Schmidt, Winona Area Chamber of Commerce, Winona, Minn. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 | www.broadbandcommunities.com "Tis framework brings people together that have not always | BROADBAND COMMUNITIES | 89