Connect MN and Redwood County Broadband Initiative To Provide Broadband Access for All

In 2008, Connect Minnesota  began working to make sure that the entire state of Minnesota would have access to the benefits of broadband Internet service.  Broadband internet service is a high speed internet connection of greater bandwidth than that of dial-up internet service.

 “Connect Minnesota’s Mission is to change lives through technology.  It is leading the effort to increase high-speed internet access, adoption, and use to diversify the economy and ensure Minnesota’s competitiveness in the connected global economy of the twenty-first century. “ 
Click Here to learn more about Connect MN’s Mission

Connect Minnesota is a subsidiary of Connected Nation and operates as a non-profit in the state of Minnesota, in partnership with the MN Department of Commerce.

Connect Minnesota works with all broadband providers in the state including Verizon, MVTV Wireless, NU-Telecom and others, to create detailed maps  of broadband coverage in order to accurately pinpoint gaps in availability.  They continue to develop and update this data as they can.  If you are experiencing an area with poor service or no service at all, you can report it to Connect Minnesota; contact them at 651.324.2329 or info@connectmn.org.

These efforts are funded by the United States Department of Commerce’s State Broadband Initiative (SBI) grant program through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.  More information is available at www.broadbandusa.gov.

Broadband access is important to our economic growth and here is what the Governor of Minnesota has to say…

“Our state’s history of economic success has shown us how vital a solid infrastructure is to building a strong business climate.  Broadband access is an important part of that 21st century infrastructure. Broadband accessibility is an issue that is critical to growing our state’s economy – particularly in Greater Minnesota.  As long as there are inequities in access to broadband in Minnesota, we will see those same inequities reflected in our schools, hospitals, and businesses.  This task force will give our state an action plan for identifying and correcting these disparities so that Minnesota can compete and thrive in a global economy.” -Governor Mark Dayton

The Redwood County Community Broadband Initiative

The project management team consisting of:

• Leonard Runck, Chair, RedRock Central, Lamberton
• Vicki Knobloch – Redwood County Administrator
• Julie Rath — Redwood County EDA/RADC — Economic Development Specialist
• Lon Walling, County EDA/County Board Chair
• Sharon Hollatz, Redwood County Commissioner, District 5/EDA
• Sarah Kuglin, Web Designer – Redwood Valley Technical Solutions
• Tim Beske, IT Specialist – SMSU-Marshall
• Josh Lueck, IT Specialist – Redwood County
• Cheri Nelson, IT Specialist – Redwood Valley School District
• Chuck Robasse, Integrity Bank, Walnut Grove/Wabasso, and
• Duane Anderson, Redwood County EDA/RADC Board Chair/COO Farmers Union Industries
• Tom Ulrich, IT Specialist – Redwood Area Hospital/City of Redwood Falls

The Redwood Area Development Corporation, lead by Julie Rath, will meet with Compass Consulting in August.  This is the company the Redwood County Board approved to start the County’s feasibility study.  This study will provide an inventory assessment of the current broadband capabilities, and will also inventory what current providers have available and anticipate what our future needs will look like.

The desired outcome of this planning effort is to provide a tool for Redwood County to assist in future implementation projects that will lead to additional economic development opportunities, enhance educational opportunities, improved medical services and improved quality of life.

This project is funded through a grant from the Blandin Foundation and local resources of the Redwood County EDA, NU-Telecom and Arvig Communications.  Visit the Blandin on Broadband Blog and sign up to receive email updates on broadband use, access, and trends especially in rural Minnesota, click here.

Educational classes are part of the initiative as well!  The webinar and training series are held each month and are free to attend.  The September – December schedule will be posted very soon.  You can learn more about upcoming broadband training classes, click here.

Do you have questions or concerns with broadband access in your area?  Do you need broadband access to run your business or organization but you don’t have a means or the services available to acquire it?  We want to hear from you!  Leave a comment below or contact us at Redwood Area Development Corporation today!