mn regional broadband conference

1. 2021
Broadband
Inspirations
in MN
atreacy@treacyinfo.com

2. Broadband in West Central MN
county coverage 100/20 ranking
Becker 73.41 57
Clay 89.08 26
Grant 71.99 61
Otter Tail 67.02 67
Pope 74.48 54
Stevens 96.79 14
Traverse 50.97 80
Wilkin 77.06 47
White Earth* 13.57 ---
https://wp.me/p3if7-7uA

3. Good Time for Inspiration
• Federal funding (muninetwork list)
• State funding
• Blandin funding (Accelerate)
• COVID-inspired funding (ConnectedMN)
• Increased understanding of the need
• Policy changes (telehealth, corporate…)

4. Inspirational Stories
• Fridley storm shelter used as learning hub and
literacy center (Libraries without Borders – also working on
Nobles County)
• Delivering broadband to firefighters in wildfires with GEO
Satellite with public safety grade priority (30/10) (Verizon)
• HBC offers free internet to guests in transitional housing in
Winona

5. Inspirational Stories
• Virtual visits for moms-to-be in Bemidji –bonus more
engaged patients and sneak peek at home life
• Otter Tail library creates tech packs: Free laptops and
hotspots for folks seeking employment
• Tele-Mental Health Portal provides referrals and access to
mental health services – at capacity in one month. (Region
9)

6. Inspirational Stories
• Chisago Lakes works with local manufacturers to do tours
for HS students looking at careers
• Paul Bunyan turns Gaming into career exploration with
annual GigaZone Gaming Championship
• Grand Rapids is looking at becoming first cold weather,
rural hub for Autonomous Vehicles

7. Get more
ideas
https://wp.me/p3if7-6O3

8. Inspiration you can tap into
• CBR: Accelerate wp.me/p3if7-
73P
• Free Chromebooks for MN
Families in Need wp.me/p3if7-
7tw
• Sep 18: National Day of Civic
Hacking wp.me/p3if7-7ux
• Emergency Broadband Benefits
getemergencybroadband.org
• Keep up on new opportunities
https://blandinonbroadband.org

9. Any questions?
Ann Treacy – atreacy@treacyinfo.com - https://blandinonbroadband.org/