In an effort to unlock the capabilities of broadband networks to rural Minnesota businesses, the Blandin Foundation has announced the Community Broadband Resource Program. The program offers up to 32 hours of no cost “high-level” broadband consulting for rural Minnesota communities in need of market development, business expertise, and technical assessments.
“Our job is to facilitate the good work that community leaders are capable of doing. We help identify and clarify key community priorities, involve project stakeholders and assist community leaders in developing their plans and understanding their planning needs,” said project leader Bill Coleman in a press release.
The Community Broadband Resource Program is the newest offering of the foundation’s Broadband Initiative, which incorporates other grants and resources to help rural Minnesota business remain competitive and establish a presence outside of the community.
The Grand Rapids-based foundation sees broadband as a vital way of integrating rural Minnesota into the global economy and hopes to lay the necessary groundwork for that to happen.
