Public Policy Issues

Part of strengthening rural Minnesota is helping assure rural perspectives are well represented in public discourse. Blandin Foundation, with partners, convenes interested rural Minnesotans on issues most important to the health of rural Minnesota communities.  

Broadband

Broadband is revolutionizing  business, government, education, work and lifestyles. Without adequate broadband access and technologically literate populations, rural communities will be unable to take advantage of the extraordinary benefits that ultra high-speed, next-generation broadband can provide.

Since 2003, the Broadband Initiative has:

• Convened a strategy board of public and private leaders to guide the Initiative.
• Published the Community Guide to Broadband Development to help local leaders across Minnesota learn more about broadband and explore their options for increasing broadband service and use.
• Brought our Get Broadband--Keeping Communities Competitive program to 29 rural Minnesota communities.
• Dedicated $250,000 to support the "Get Broadband" program in local communities and raised more than twice that amount in additional public and private sector support.
• Initiated the "Light Speed" and "Feasibility Fund" programs.
• Published Open Access Networks: Keeping Minnesota Communities Competitive.
• Received federal stimulus funding for Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities, a multi-partner initiative to enhance broadband capability in rural Minnesota.

Early Childhood Development

Investment in the earliest years of a child's development, from birth to five years, is a key determinant in their future success--and in developing healthy communities, now and years from now.  For the past decade, Blandin Foundation has provided sustaining support and convening for early childhood programs in Itasca County that help strengthen families and give children a strong start in life.

Student Success

Education sets the foundation and direction for the lives of individuals and communities alike.

Blandin Foundation education-related partnerships assist people, particularly those in Itasca County who seek educational opportunities that enhance their lives, their children's lives, and their community as a whole.

Since 2010, Blandin Foundation has partnered with the Itasca Area Schools Collaborative to convene area residents on the many interdependent factors that impact the success of students all along the continuum of lifelong learning.

Transportation Solutions

Reliable transportation is a must for people to gain and maintain employment, get to and from appointments and participate in academic activities. Yet many people in Itasca County struggle every day getting to and from the places they need to be.

In February 2009, Blandin Foundation has convened a group of local stakeholders committed to working on this issue. A final study of barriers and other factors impacting residential transportation, along with recommendations for change, was completed in December 2009.