This document summarizes a webinar about broadband feasibility studies. The webinar will include presentations by Mark Mrla from Finley Engineering and Barbara Dröher Kline, a resident of Le Sueur County, on key elements of designing and implementing broadband feasibility studies and tips for selecting a consultant. It will also review the broadband development process and the role feasibility studies play in assessing options and selecting provider partners.

1. Welcome to today’s Broadband Leadership Webinar:
Feasibility Studies
Thank you for joining us today!
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2. Broadband Leadership Webinar Series
Feasibility Studies
• Mark Mrla, Finley Engineering
• Barbara Dröher Kline, Le Sueur County resident
• Bill Coleman, Community Technology Advisors

3. Broadband Development Process –
Simplified!
Poor
Broadband
Great
Broadband

4. Broadband Development Process
o Learn from area
residents,
businesses,
community
institutions
o Go to a
conference
o Personal
broadband
circumstance
o Review public
broadband data
o Review
broadband maps
o Learn about
community best
practices
o Host community
meeting(s)
o Survey the
community
o Interview existing
providers
Proceed to next
column!
o Examine what other
communities have
done
o Determine local
financial capabilities
and available tools
o Determine decision
maker engagement
appetite
o Recognize resulting
opportunity or
barrier
If no local commitment,
regroup to earlier steps
With sufficient
commitment, go to next
column!
o Understand their
current
improvement
plans
o Ensure their plans
meet your needs
and vision
If not, proceed to
next column.
If yes, continue below
o Negotiate deal
structure
o Pursue funding as
needed
Infrastructure
improved.
Celebrate!
o Understand
market demand /
revenues
o Understand
technology
options – wired
and wireless
o Understand
construction/
operational costs
o Understand the
resulting business
pro-formas and
need for subsidy
o Select preferred
option(s)
o Build local support
Proceed to next
column!
o Decide what you are
seeking in a partner
o Identify preferred
and likely partners
o Share feasibility study
results and
community vision
o Select preferred
partner
o Negotiate deal
structure
o Pursue other funding
as needed.
Infrastructure improved.
Celebrate!
Awakening Gather Data
Begin to determine
the range of
acceptable
community roles
Assess incumbent
provider(s) as
prospective
partner(s)
Conduct Feasibility
Study
Identify and select
provider partner(s)

5. Feasibility Studies
Presentation and discussion of the key elements of broadband feasibility
study design, implementation, and use; including tips on selecting a
consultant.
• Mark Mrla, Finley Engineering
• Barbara Dröher Kline, Le Sueur County resident
Broadband Development Process
o Learn from area
residents,
businesses,
community
institutions
o Go to a
conference
o Personal
broadband
circumstance
o Review public
broadband data
o Review
broadband maps
o Learn about
community best
practices
o Host community
meeting(s)
o Survey the
community
o Interview existing
providers
Proceed to next
column!
o Examine what other
communities have
done
o Determine local
financial capabilities
and available tools
o Determine decision
maker engagement
appetite
o Recognize resulting
opportunity or
barrier
If no local commitment,
regroup to earlier steps
With sufficient
commitment, go to next
column!
o Understand their
current
improvement
plans
o Ensure their plans
meet your needs
and vision
If not, proceed to
next column.
If yes, continue below
o Negotiate deal
structure
o Pursue funding as
needed
Infrastructure
improved.
Celebrate!
o Understand
market demand /
revenues
o Understand
technology
options – wired
and wireless
o Understand
construction/
operational costs
o Understand the
resulting business
pro-formas and
need for subsidy
o Select preferred
option(s)
o Build local support
Proceed to next
column!
o Decide what you are
seeking in a partner
o Identify preferred
and likely partners
o Share feasibility study
results and
community vision
o Select preferred
partner
o Negotiate deal
structure
o Pursue other funding
as needed.
Infrastructure improved.
Celebrate!
Awakening Gather Data
Begin to determine
the range of
acceptable
community roles
Assess incumbent
provider(s) as
prospective
partner(s)
Conduct Feasibility
Study
Identify and select
provider partner(s)

6. Join us Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 am for the
Broadband Leadership Webinar Series:
Creating Successful Broadband Infrastructure
Projects
For more information, visit www.broadband.blandinfoundation.org and
click the “webinars” banner.