mirc presentation

MIRC

What? So What? Now What?

Gaining access to the Internet is fast becoming a prerequisite for participating in civic and economic life.

Jamilah KingEditor, Colorlines.com

Our taskHelp rural Minnesota communities keep up

globally!

MN Intelligent Rural Communities

• Train individuals • Support small

businesses and entrepreneurs

• Distribute refurbished computers to low-income households

• Encourage community-based approaches to adoption and use

Intelligent Community Framework

Intelligent Community Indicators

DCs take action

• Nearly 100 community-designed and administered projects were funded.

• Projects addressed goals and opportunities identified by participating communities themselves.

MIRC set measurable goals.

All were accomplished or exceeded.

“Such evidence allows us to conclude that

community-based broadband literacy and

market development efforts can and do make a difference.”

Jack Gellerproject evaluator

“This project has permanently changed the way we think and the way we work together.”

Della SchmidtWinona Area Chamber of Commerce

“I see, this is just the beginning: the hard work is ahead of us.” Cook County Resident

• Cook County resident

Lessons Learned

Local Leadership matters

Communities know best

Broadband is not an end in itself

.III.

Have patience

Now What?

Implications for the Task Force

Access is key...

… and so is adoption.

Adoption is a Driver of Economic Growth

Non-metro counties with high levels of broadband adoption in

2010 had significantly higher growth in median household income

between 2001 and 2010 compared to counties that had similar

characteristics in the 1990s but were not as successful at adopting

broadband.

Broadband's Contribution to Economic Health in Rural Areas: A Causal Analysis, B. Whitacre, S. Strover, R. Gallardo, March 26, 2013

“While most government broadband policies have traditionally focused exclusively on providing infrastructure, there is a case to be made for focusing on demand. ...Investments in people, education and training are essential to achieve meaningful use of the Internet.“

The Daily Yonder

Public investments are needed in both.

“Intervention works.”Jack Geller

For More Information

Blandin on Broadband blogwww.blandinonbroadband.org

Blandin Broadband websitehttp://broadband.blandinfoundation.org

Mary Magnusonmemagnuson@blandinfoundation.org

218.326.0523

Vibrant. Rural. Community.