As first posted on the Blandin on Broadband blog…

It has been fun for Karl Samp and me to work with the nine Blandin Broadband Communities as they developed partnerships and project plans for another round of BBC grant applications. Critical to their success are the teams that are functioning well in bringing the right people and groups – economic development, schools, chambers, ISPs, health care providers, social service agencies and others – together to address community opportunities.

Through MIRC and BBC, Blandin Foundation has helped communities form these teams and fund projects. The communities have demonstrated that they can both leverage and stretch these funds for widespread impact. The change is real and positive.

Imagine if we had many more of these teams in rural Minnesota? And why not in suburban communities and urban neighborhoods too? Enhanced digital literacy, smarter workers, more innovative companies all making effective use of wired and wireless networks. Why not?