Blandin Foundation submitted in August 2009 an application for federal Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) funding.

On March 25, 2010, the US Department of Commerce announced that the Blandin Foundation and 19 coalition partners received a $4.7 million grant award on behalf of rural Minnesota communities.

Through this grant, Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) coalition brings a network of resources and support to rural Minnesota individuals and communities - especially those unemployed and seeking employment, small businesses, coalitions of government entities, and local leaders.

MIRC was the only statewide applicant for this funding.