presentations to the Blandin Foundation

1.  Networking, informal discussion and
refreshments
 Welcome, introductions and check-in by local
hosts/attendees
 Meeting purpose ~ Bernadine
 Community presentation
 Blandin response
 The future
 Adjourn

2.  Aitkin County Iron Range Broadband
Community (IRBC)
 Review and Discussion of Round I & II projects
 PC’s for People Distribution
 Thank You Blandin Foundation and IRRRB

3.  Denise Rodgers, AEOA
 Kari Paulsen, Aitkin Workforce Center
 Lisa Kruse, McGregor Community Education
 Hill City Community Education under
Construction, Aitkin and McGregor are done.
 $13,067.03 grant per site, $6,689.00 match.

4.  14 units for checkout at Aitkin and McGregor
Libraries and East Central Regional Library
(ECRL) Outreach locations in Aitkin County.
 IRBC grant $4,530.00 match $1,250.00
 Rachel Howell, ECRL

5.  4 portable units moved among busses that
travel farthest, sporting and other events or
longest daily bus ride.
 IRBC grant $4,987.00 local match $1,950.00.

7.  Eliminate Wifi dead spots throughout Campus.
 Increase bandwidth, issue wasn’t equipment.
 IRBC Grant $2,496.00 match $624.00.
 “We are all hooked up with Exede, and it has
been working great! Thank you both for all
your efforts and hard work!”

8.  Continuation of previous project to provide
WiFi in Palisade, Berglund Park was not in
coverage range.
 IRBC Grant $4,600.00 match $1,320.00.
 First grant award for Palisade and Hill City,
$8,887.00 match of $2,963.00.
 Darrell with update, need to work on Hill City.

9.  IRBC grant of $1,000.00
 Used for programming/workshops that can
utilize the Conference Centers.

10.  IRBC Grant $6,000.00 match was $2,000.00

11.  82 computers distributed
 Aitkin County HHS 10
 Aitkin County C.A.R.E. 12
 McGregor ANGELS 6
 Aitkin Co Habitat for Humanity 1
 City of Palisade reading room 2
 McGregor Community Ed and Community 15
 A.A.D.A. 6
 Hill City Community Ed 5
 Jaques Art Center 2
 Aitkin County D.A.C. 2
 McGregor Kids Plus 1
 McGregor Historical Society 1
 Individuals 19

12.  Community Listening Session February 2017
 Attendees from all of Aitkin County came and
gave input.
 Overwhelmingly asked for more access to
broadband.
 Total projects $101,874.09, IRBC grants
$76,845.09, local matches $25,029.00.