benton county mirc spotlight presentation

www.BentonCountyConnected.org

How we are thinking from Good to Great!

Angie Boecker

Thinking Good to Great


Groan Zone


Good Enough


Push Through


Great!!

MIRCIntroducing the

Project Contractors


Angie Boecker

MIRC Project Contractors

Independent Lifestyles, Inc.A Center of Independent Living

Independent Lifestyles

• Project BRAVE: Broadband, Resources And Vocational Exploration

• Set up a computer lab open to the public and used to provide computer and internet access trainings

Independent Lifestyles

• Purchased equipment for the computer lab including equipment that helps the disabled use computers

• They have partnered with Duet wireless for reduced rates on installation and one year access to broadband to Benton County residents


LA Home Care partnering with Cybermation

LA Home Care

• Project name: Smart Home Technologies – Grand Care• Enhanced ability for aging members (or people with

disabilities) of the community to live longer at home– Activities of Daily Living monitoring– Internet communications (Skype, email, etc)– Tele-Wellness supporting an entire network of

caregivers providing a greater security and less social isolation

• Ease of access to the internet for aging (or people with disabilities) members of the community


New Frontier Services, Inc. Creator of the What’s Up in Foley Website

New Frontier Services

• Project name: What’s up in Foley Community Website

• Increase exposure to the community’s events, information and opportunities

• A platform for other projects to interface with. (For example: The agricultural community will be able to build upon it to provide not only common information but tools for farmers to conduct business.)

New Frontier Services

• Non-profit organizations take advantage of many features through the website at no charge including: – directory listing– details page with specifics about the organization– a map to the organization– a link to their website– events listing– volunteer opportunities


City of Foley

City of Foley• Created a new City of Foley Website -Benefiting over

2,600 residents, this new website, and the services provides:– online payments– auto pay– information about utilities available– ordinances and notices and more

• Purchased of computers to provide public internet access and training – library hours for use by the public, free of charge


Foley Community Education

Foley Community Education

• Will increase computer lab time for students and the community this fall

• Offering basic computer skills classes and classes through the U of M - at little to no charge to residents and businesses of Benton County

• Computer classes for learners to explore computers, Lego robotics, on-line classes and fun computer projects that are not in school curriculum


Country Manor

Country Manor

• Project name: Enriching Lives

• Providing iPads for use by tenants and residents

– The iPads have helped tenants/residents learn about new technology. Several have set up gmail accounts

• Enhance intergenerational learning – Sartell High School students in the LINC program will help teach seniors how to use the technology.


Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Education

Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Education

• Will increase computer lab time for students and the community this fall

• Offering basic computer skills classes and classes through the U of M - at little to no charge to residents and businesses of Benton County

• Computer classes for learners to explore computers, Lego robotics, on-line classes and fun computer projects that are not in school curriculum

MIRC


Statewide PartnersNancy Hoffman

U of M Extension

• Held 5 classes – average 10 in attendance

• 4 more planned for fall

• Starting 1 on 1 counseling

• U of M Project – Roadside marketing and web pages– SCT&CC – Mississippi Regional Project

DEED Digital Literacy

• Offered 4 classes in our region

• Ages 18 – 84

• More Classes are coming up – Foley Library and Independent Lifestyles

Minnesota Learning Commons

• Held 2 courses at the Workforce Center– January 6 attended– June 10 attended

• Expect to have one this fall

• Marketing Lessons

Atomic Training

• 97 Subscriptions– PC’s for People computers– Independent Lifestyles– Foley Library – ABE at Foley and Sauk Rapids – Some businesses

• Open House and Training – October 13

PC’s for People

• 27 computers– 15 to Independent

Lifestyles– 8 Heritage of Foley

senior – 2 to Good Shepherd– 2 to the city of Rice

• Collected over 30 last year– No plans at this time to

take more computers

MNREM

• Marketing to Chambers and on the Website Calendar

• Webinars provide alternative to in class hands on training

MIRC


PlanningNancy Hoffman

Planning

• August 23 community meeting – Stakeholders– Assisting Business– Provider Brochure– Access

Planning

• Robert Bells report and recommendations– Inclusion of Intelligent Community Themes in

Economic Development Marketing – Creation of a task force to guide development – Creation of a documented strategy and

programs – More public access locations (WiFi vs

computers)– Stop “Brain Drain” connect students to

business

Strategies• Continue working with Partners and increase collaboration

• Economic Development/Technology Marketing Plan with SCSU or SBDC

• Inventory WiFi locations and those without

• Purchase IPads for Community Ed.

• Additional Programs for Business

• Complete the U of M Project

Benton County MIRC’s Web Site

• www.BentonCountyConnected.org

http://www.bentoncountyconnected.org/