includes projects funded by the Blandin Foundation

1. Strut Your Stuff Tour
Blandin Broadband Communities
June 2019

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

3. Community presentation
• East Range Communities of Aurora, Biwabik, Hoyt Lakes
and Town of White
• Projects include portable training lab for technology
training at the Aurora and Hoyt Lakes Libraries,
development of the East Range Joint Powers website,
free WiFi in public locations and area business retention
and expansion efforts.
• Future plans include completion of a feasibility study for
broadband connectivity and reaching out to non-
traditional partners for round 2 of Broadband applications
for community grants.

4. Who has been involved?
• A steering committee has been
formed with individuals from all
4 communities
• Partnership with the Tower and
Laurentian Broadband groups
• Working with Mesabi East
School District and PCs for
People to distribute computers
to free/reduced lunch families
(72 applications received)

5. Planning Outcomes
Community goals include:
• Implementation of the
community grant projects to
provide immediate benefits to
the community and generate
interest in the process
• Completion of the feasibility
study to work towards
connecting households and
businesses with adequate
internet connections

6. Mobile Training Lab for
Technology Training
Presented by Sue Sowers/Paula Chapman
• Aim to develop a Portable
Training Lab to provide
computer/technology training
on the East Range.
• Trainings will be held in spaces
such as libraries, community
centers, senior centers, town
halls, and other locations.
• Total Project = $17,050
• Grant = $12,770

7. Free Public WiFi in
Communities
Presented by Peter Senarighi
Will add or expand wi-fi access at
three public locations that
currently lack/have weak wifi:
• City of Biwabik (town center)
• Hoyt Lakes Library
• Aurora Library
• Total Project = $3,255
• Grant = $1,575

8. East Range Joint Powers Board
Website
Presented by ERJPB Staff
• Aims to enhance ERJPB
website to create a centralized
point for community information
and help raise awareness
around broadband issues on
the East Range.
• Site is live; enhancements
ongoing
• Total Project = $10,565
• Grant = $6,192

9. Business Retention &
Expansion Visits
Presented by ERJPB Staff
• Visits aim to visit 30 businesses to
assess their needs, perception of
the community, and learn about
their broadband situation
• 5 visits completed to date
• Information gathered will help
build a stronger understanding of
the East Range broadband
situation and help advocacy
efforts
• Total Project = $17,640
• Grant = $13,230

10. PCs for People
Presented by ERJPB Staff
• 7 computers given to libraries
• Rest will be distributed families
in need within the Mesabi East
School District
• 72 families have submitted
applications for computers.
Date for giveaway event is TBD
• Aim to provide computers for all
applicants using grant money

11. LTE Feasibility Study Group
• Plans for joint feasibility study
between Laurentian, Tower,
and East Range groups
• Steering committee meeting
monthly
• Over $45,000 raised to date
• Will collaborate to submit grant
applications this fall

12. Going forward
• What challenges are you
facing?
• How can the Blandin team be
more helpful?
• Are you observing any
community-wide impacts yet?
• Other feedback?