Pam Lehmann presents

1. our Broadband Quest Lac qui Parle County Efforts From 2007 to Present Blandin Broadband Strategy Board August 31, 2010

2. November 2007 BLANDIN’S Community Broadband: Making the Right Choices First exposure to broadband information Networking connections made with: Bill Coleman Community Technology Advisors Denise Pfeifer MNSCU Randy Finholt Midwest Assistance Program

3. April - May 2008 Research of local providers revealed Farmers Mutual was about to start deploying a FTTP project in LqP 1060 Location over 375 sq miles 48% of the geography, but only 25% of total locations in Lac qui Parle County HOSTED “The Future of Broadband in Lac qui Parle County” Meeting Planned with the help of: Bill Coleman Randy Finholt Held May 8, 2008 Attendance & Participation beyond expectations Formed a Steering Committee for a formal Broadband Initiative

5. Members Included:

6. Local Small Businesses

7. County Staff – GIS & Administration

8. Service Providers (2 wired & 1 wireless)

9. Healthcare Administration & IT Staff

10. County Commissioners

11. Local IT Professionals

12. Local Regional Development Commission

13. Midwest Assistance Program

14. Congressman Peterson’s Staff

15. DEED Staff

16. City Administrators

17. Other Interested Citizens

20. GOAL: Educate the public & find out how they feel about their current internet service

21. Online Survey Completed by fairgoers

22. Hosted 2 live radio broadcasts on our project and internet/computer questions

23. Daily seminars on internet topics

24. Onsite expertise to answer questions

26. Popcorn served to stay in the THEATRE Theme!

27. Live Radio Broadcast

28. Question & Answer Sessions

29. Committee Members Help!

30. December 2008 BLANDIN’S Connected Communities: Making the Net Work for Minnesota Reinforced networking connections Participated in the breakout session: Blandin Foundation Community Broadband Resource Program Bill Coleman, Community Technology Advisors Heidi Peper, SHE Pam Lehmann, LqP EDA Participated in Klobuchar Broadband Roundtable Event in St. Paul

32. Roadside Advertising in a Digital World

33. Online Marketing

34. Website Development

35. Using Technology to Improve Your Business

36. What is E-Commerce?

37. Internet & Global Marketing

38. Is Your Business E-Commerce Ready?

39. Basic Search Engine Optimization

41. Promoted events related to Broadband

42. Local, Regional & State Events

43. Using e-mail, telephone & regular mailings

44. Searched for Sources of Expertise for Businesses

45. On Accepting Credit/Debit Card Payments

46. Website Analysis

47. Technology Assessment

48. E-Commerce Safety

50. 5 County Inventory Mapping Done

51. Investigated expansion of wireless service using 800 MHZ towers built for ARMER

52. Evaluated ways to increase the number & sophistication of area business websites

53. 5 County Internet Phone Survey Completed

55. Connected with Frontier Communications

56. In Person meeting with Regional Manager

57. Outlined our plans

58. Feasibility Study

59. Grant Application

60. Public/Private Partnership

61. Asked for their Participation

62. Frontier staff thought it was worth exploring

63. Conference Call with Regional Manager & Coordinators

64. Reiterated information from previous meeting

65. Final Decision: Due to ongoing efforts, our project is not a priority for them at this point

67. Researched Consultants/Grant Writers

68. Selected as our consultant U-Reka Broadband to work with us on a possible feasibility study and potential grant application

69. Presented information to LqP County Commissioners

72. Feasibility Study work began

73. Focus Group Meetings held

74. Healthcare

75. Education

76. Business

77. Public Service

78. Collected and compiled data, maps, etc.

79. Presentations to city councils, boards & commissions on project

81. January 2010 – Lab Project TDF Foundation – Computer Lab Grant Referred by Congressman Peterson Want to do a project in rural Minnesota Would be only the 2nd rural project completed in the country Formed a Steering Committee from the Broadband Initiative group to evaluate whether to apply for funding

82. February 2010 – Lab Project Computer Lab Committee plans: Instead of choosing one site do: Portable Lab -- OR Mobile Lab (like a bookmobile) Submitted Letter of Intent (application) Preliminary funding approval received Further research & details needed before funding would be finalized

84. Discussions on grant/loan submission options

85. Discussions on final project structure in a public/private partnership

86. County board considers financial ramifications – they have NEVER borrowed money in the past

88. Resolution passed by LqP County and Farmers Mutual Telephone to partner on an application to the Rural Utility Service Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP)

89. Final Work on RUS BIP application

90. Contracts/Agreements

91. Data Collection

92. 24 Letters of Support collected

93. Application submitted

95. May 2010 – FTTP Project Information received on potential for an RUS Technical Assistance Grant Can only be eligible for award if BIP is funded in round #1 or #2 Approached LqP County and Farmers Mutual to consider applying without knowing if we will be funded in round #2 Both entities agreed we should apply. Application submitted for $200,000

96. May 2010 – Lab Project Funding approved from TDF Foundation Committee can use their discretion on whether the project should be “mobile” or “portable” Submitted application to BlandinLightSpeed Grant program for matching funds for Mobile Computer Lab Project Job Description & Help Wanted posted for Lab Coordinator

98. Bus search begins – criteria:

99. Automatic transmission

100. Handicapped Accessible

101. Low Miles

102. Body in good shape

103. Purchased a used transport bus

104. Applications received for Lab Coordinator

105. Quotes/bids accepted for bus conversion process

106. Local IT Tech assigned to project

108. Maintenance & mechanic inspection done

109. Passenger Seats removed & donated

110. Interior grab bars & rails removed

111. RV Heating/Cooling System installed

112. New subfloor & flooring installed

113. Lab Coordinator Interviews Completed

114. SW ABE offers curriculum & assistance w/salary

115. Computers & Printer ordered & shipped

116. Background checks completed on final 2 candidates

117. Name for the lab determined: LqP Computer Commuter

118. Lab Coordinator Position offered to Mary Quick

120. Farmers Mutual Telephone/LqP County Partnership awarded $9,652,956

122. Bus Conversion continues:

123. Wheel covers & New bumper

124. Minor body work & steps reinforced

125. Decorative Wrap Designed & Installed

126. Custom Workstations Designed & Installed

127. Electrical Work completed

128. Computers & Printers Installed

130. Broadband Summit

132. Ribbon Cutting/Launch of the LqP Computer Commuter

133. Special Guests – Congressman Peterson, Linda Nickell & Bill Coleman

134. Introduction of Mary Quick

136. LqP Computer Commuter

138. Computer Commuter Launch

139. Computer Commuter Launch

140. Computer Commuter Launch

142. Complete the deployment

143. Work to ensure the success of the Computer Commuter

144. Showcase Unit to area organizations

145. Tours/FREE Use of technology at the county fair

146. Promote the new technology to:

147. Telecommuters

148. Entrepreneurs

149. Technology & Other New Businesses

151. Extend Computer Commuter Services

152. Add a staff person to work on Broadband Education and Issues for businesses

153. Website Development & Maintenance

154. Social Media

155. GPS & Mapping

156. Consider forming a PC Triage business

157. Establish groundwork for more BB projects

158. Look for other Broadband Projects to keep moving onward!