Living Connected in Benton County Local Government View Nancy Hoffman Economic Development Director

Benton County MIRC Planning Process Projects funded Good To Great Example Evaluation Planning – Strategies

Planning Organized a Steering Committee Held a Community Meeting –Provider Directory –Assist Business –Access – physical and ubiquity Sent out an RFP and held a Bidders Conference

Independent Lifestyles, Inc. A Center of Independent Living Project BRAVE: Broadband, Resources And Vocational Exploration Set up a computer lab open to the their clients and the public and provide computer training Purchased equipment for the computer lab including computers to be used by disabled. Partnership with Duet Wireless

Project name: What’s up in Foley Community Website Increase exposure to the community’s events, information and opportunities Non-profit organizations take advantage of many features through the website at no charge

LA Home Care Partnered with Cybermation Project name: Smart Home Technologies – Grand Care Enhanced ability for aging members of the community to live longer at home Activities of Daily Living monitoring Internet communications (Skype, , etc) Tele-Wellness supporting an entire network of caregivers Ease of access to the internet for aging

and Great River Regional Library Created a new City of Foley Interactive Website -Benefiting over 2,600 residents, this new website, and the services provides: online payments, auto pay, information about utilities, 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 and 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

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.

Best Practices “Going From Good To Great” Leveraging Resources Sustainability Gaining Momentum

Good To Great Example Independent Lifestyles –Leveraged the MIRC Grant < 1:1 –Community Ed is teaching classes –DEED’s Digital Literacy Class –Minnesota Learning Commons online class for for job seekers –Grand Care System – Independence –PC’s for People – 15 out to residents –Atomic Learning Open House

MIRC Community Evaluation and Planning Where do we go from here?

Evaluation & Planning August 23 community meeting with 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/Intelligent Community Marketing and MIRC Education with SCSU and SCT&CC Inventory WiFi locations and those without – Provide Routers or service in public places Purchase IPads for SR-R Community Ed. To be used community wide Additional Programs for Business – “Change or Become Obsolete” Complete the U of M Project – Roadside Marketing – now along with the Great River Road program

Living Connected in Benton County Web Site