1. MN Intelligent Rural Communities Project An ARRA Broadband Stimulus Grant to the Blandin Foundation

2. MN Intelligent Rural Communities Project A $4.8 million dollar grant to drive broadband adoption and use in greater Minnesota using the Intelligent Community economic development framework

3. Intelligent Community Criteria Broadband Access Price Use Digital Inclusion Computers Public access Training Knowledge Workforce Education and Training Business – Education PartnershipsInnovation New ways of creating and delivering products and services by all sectors Systematic creation and support of new business enterprises Marketing and Advocacy Marketing to an external audience to attract investment and talent Advocacy to an internal audience about technology, careers and other broadband economy factors

4. INNOVATION The ICF Framework

5. MIRC Outcomes More broadband subscribers Increased culture of use of broadband-based services Increased efficiency and effectiveness of digital literacy training service delivery Increased economic vitality in rural Minnesota communities

6. Partners and Roles Business Training UM Extension MN Renewable Energy Marketplace Resident Training MN Learning Commons DEED Workforce Centers/ABE PC’s for People Outreach and Support Regional Development Commissions Support University of MN – Crookston Intelligent Community Forum 11 Demonstration Communities Others

7. Utilizing the Intelligent Community approach Broadband Increased public access Possible hotspot creation Digital Inclusion Public access Digital literacy training PCs for People Knowledge Workforce More access to WFC Digital Literacy Training Knowledge Worker Career information Atomic Learning Innovation New uses of technology within business, education and government Small business technology assistance Assistance provided by MES and MNREMMarketing/Advocacy Focusing on internal technology advocacy Local messaging External messaging via community and business sites and online tools Community teams focusing on project development and implementation

8. Demonstration Communities Upper MN Valley RDC WillmarWindomWinonaWorthington Benton County Cook County Grand Rapids Area Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Stevens County Thief River Falls

9. Demonstration Communities 11 Intelligent Community Demonstration Communities Each community has a commitment of up to $100,000 in funds to implement their Intelligent Community Initiative Communities must implement a minimum of four projects All must fit into one of the Intelligent Community elements At least one project must address digital inclusion

10. Demonstration Communities Led by a Project Coordinator and local Steering Committee of key community stakeholders Baseline utilization surveys Goal setting Project identification Project implementation (funds for adoption of community-impacting technology applications (health, education, government, business)