mirc presentation
DESCRIPTION
A presentation to the Minnesota Broadband Task Force meeting Oct 2013 in Windom MNTRANSCRIPT
MIRC
What? So What? Now What?
Gaining access to the Internet is fast becoming a prerequisite for participating in civic and economic life.
Jamilah KingEditor, Colorlines.com
Our taskHelp rural Minnesota communities keep up
globally!
MN Intelligent Rural Communities
• Train individuals • Support small
businesses and entrepreneurs
• Distribute refurbished computers to low-income households
• Encourage community-based approaches to adoption and use
Intelligent Community Framework
Intelligent Community Indicators
DCs take action
• Nearly 100 community-designed and administered projects were funded.
• Projects addressed goals and opportunities identified by participating communities themselves.
MIRC set measurable goals.
All were accomplished or exceeded.
“Such evidence allows us to conclude that
community-based broadband literacy and
market development efforts can and do make a difference.”
Jack Gellerproject evaluator
“This project has permanently changed the way we think and the way we work together.”
Della SchmidtWinona Area Chamber of Commerce
“I see, this is just the beginning: the hard work is ahead of us.” Cook County Resident
• Cook County resident
Lessons Learned
Local Leadership matters
Communities know best
Broadband is not an end in itself
.III.
Have patience
Now What?
Implications for the Task Force
Access is key...
… and so is adoption.
Adoption is a Driver of Economic Growth
Non-metro counties with high levels of broadband adoption in
2010 had significantly higher growth in median household income
between 2001 and 2010 compared to counties that had similar
characteristics in the 1990s but were not as successful at adopting
broadband.
Broadband's Contribution to Economic Health in Rural Areas: A Causal Analysis, B. Whitacre, S. Strover, R. Gallardo, March 26, 2013
“While most government broadband policies have traditionally focused exclusively on providing infrastructure, there is a case to be made for focusing on demand. ...Investments in people, education and training are essential to achieve meaningful use of the Internet.“
The Daily Yonder
Public investments are needed in both.
“Intervention works.”Jack Geller
For More Information
Blandin on Broadband blogwww.blandinonbroadband.org
Blandin Broadband websitehttp://broadband.blandinfoundation.org
Mary [email protected]
218.326.0523
Vibrant. Rural. Community.