Blandin Foundation promotes the active engagement of communities in ensuring their own telecommunications and technology vitality, ranging from market development activities to infrastructure and service improvements. Across Minnesota, communities vary widely in their level of technological savvy and involvement. Currently, there is no programmatic assistance from state or regional agencies to help communities begin or maintain community technology initiatives.
The Community Broadband Resource Program provides assistance to communities in three ways:
- Virtually
Blandin Foundation, through the Broadband Toolkit, LightSpeed grant program, the Blandin on Broadband blog and the Robust Networks Feasibility Fund, has developed significant online resources for communities. This resource are at the center of the Resource Program activities.
- By convening
Blandin Foundation has a reputation for providing convening opportunities, both virtual and on location. The Broadband Resource Program will continue to convene community leaders and topic experts for dialogue and learning.
- By providing consulting assistance
Communities, when seeking to determine appropriate next steps towards technology vitality, are often without quality, tech-neutral, vendor-neutral advice.
The Community Broadband Resource Program uses select consultants to provide information and assistance to communities as they determine their appropriate role. No grant funds will be made available to the communities, only short-term technical assistance.
Targeted communities
Resource Services
- Project Assistance (limited to 32 hours of assistance)
- High level community technology assessments of infrastructure, services and community demand
- Market Development Activity organizing and planning
- Technical and business expertise to develop fair and appropriate joint venture with providers
- Ad hoc assistance
- General information provided through telephone, email, referral to the Blandin website and others.
Timeline: The Broadband Resource Program was announced in November 2007 at the Broadband Conference.
Application Process: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and administratively approved. Complete application online.
Goals
- Annually, the Broadband Resource Program will provide Project Assistance to 15 communities ranging from 16 to 32 hours.
- Annually, the Broadband Resource Program will provide personal ad hoc assistance to 25 communities
Outcomes
- Increased utilization of broadband, public and leadership awareness and engagement in the broadband issues area and public private investment.
- An evaluation process that measures success, primarily through information gathered in the application process and a survey following the project assistance. Ad hoc assistance will be measured through indicators including a) signing up for the e-news and b) applying for project assistance.
