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May 2006 Benton County - In preparation for their baseline survey, Benton County has been promoting a “Don’t Hang Up” theme with ads running in the papers, on the radio and on the local news stations. Bill Coleman is coming in May to do key interviews and a planning session with the Steering Committee to come up with goals and projects in Benton County. Jessica Sundeen was approved by the County Board to be the Program Coordinator for the Get Broadband program in Benton County, which they are now calling “Get Connected in Benton County” to alleviate any confusion about the program bringing physical infrastructure to the area.
They sponsored a booth at the Isanti Home Show in March. Thanks go out to US Cable and North Star Access for providing the four prizes of 2 months of high-speed service with free installation. Cambridge-Isanti sponsored a number of training opportunities including E-bay selling Basics, co-sponsored with Community Education, was a one-day conference on how to sell on email. More than 40 people attended; and Hide and Seek – Internet Marketing, presented at Van Pro Industries by Minnesota Technology, Inc (MTI) had 11 attendees. Web Site Review and Search Engine Optimization, also presented by MTI will be offered on May 23, 2006, 7:30 am to 11:30 am, Cambridge City Hall, 300 Third Avenue NE, Cambridge. Cost is $425 per company; a discount ($350) is available for attendees from the Hide and Seek course. They are coordinating a demonstration project with Wendorff Industrial Coating in Cambridge, to move them from using only email to implementing an interactive website with 24-hour turnaround for order estimates. Cohasset - Cohasset has received word that the second survey will be taking place in the next few weeks. This will be the last step of year one. They will use the results as they begin planning for year two for Get Broadband especially to help business better use broadband. There are currently businesses in Cohasset that have a web presence and some will be working on it for the year of 2006. Edge of Wilderness - The Edge of Wilderness has completed their first round of community computer classes intended to help people better utilize broadband technology and computers. They are developing demonstration projects with some local businesses to expand their broadband utilization and have assisted a local community development organization with broadband improvements. They are working on a wireless hot spot at the Marcell Family Center and Effie Community Center for public use and have recently completed an upgrade to the public computer room broadband network at the Marcell Family Center. Grand Rapids - Thanks to support and in kind services from Paul Bunyan Telephone, Grand Rapids is hoping to have WI-FI available at the Central Square Mall before fishing opener! Grand Rapids is still on track for Phase I, "outdoor" free wireless that will cover the Library-KAXE riverfront area. Phase II WI-FI in outdoor area by the Old Central School, is on hold. International Falls - The International Falls Chamber of Commerce Building now has wireless internet service so that people waiting in their cars in the line to Canada can work on their laptops. They are currently working with the International Falls Airport to do the same. Hibbing - Hibbing has recently launched a blog to keep the community and committee members up to date on Get Broadband events. A meeting is planned on May 4 to gather the steering committee and community computer refurbishing experts. Hibbing is also pleased to have a technical person at a large, local nonprofit, who has agreed to work with techie folks and my community-oriented team members. Red Wing - Red Wing has partnered with Integrate, a local marketing consultant business, in an effort to better inform Red Wing citizens of ongoing efforts with the Blandin Foundation and Get Broadband program. Integrate will to produce a communication plan and lead brainstorming discussions with business leaders on effective ways to educate citizens. Integrate will also facilitate discussions with the local newspaper and radio station. Blandin program coordinator, Laura Blair, and Leadership Committee chair, Joan Foot have been conducting meetings with business leaders from each sector of the community to build grassroots support for the project. Laura Blair is also collaborating with key local leadership such as City Manger and Library Director on a timeline of the past 150 years to illustrate key points in time where Red Wing made visionary community decisions that were wrought with controversy. The Red Wing community has a long history of individuals championing projects that were to benefit the entire community. The historical timeline will have key Red Wing events in addition to an overlay of advances in telecommunications globally. |
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