Three projects were undertaken from 2015-2017 in Cottonwood, Jackson, and Nobles Counties in Minnesota to promote sustainability. These included a Livability Campaign to document and promote livability in the regions, a Social Media Breakfast Club to host live-streamed and archived community meetings, and a Smart TV Campaign to install equipment enabling remote participation. The Livability Campaign involved community meetings to inventory amenities, conduct SWOT analyses, and develop goals and strategies. The Social Media Breakfast Club provided a way for remote participation in meetings. The Smart TV Campaign installed equipment in 5 communities to broadcast these meetings live. Additional related projects included providing free public WiFi hotspots, computers for low-income residents, digital literacy courses, and

1. Cottonwood, Jackson
& Nobles County
2015-2017 Blandin Projects - Regional Partners

2. 60/90 Corridor Initiative - Alumni
3 projects to ensure sustainability of resources
and investment
● Livability Campaign
● Social Media Breakfast Club Online - Live feed & Archive
● Smart TV Campaign

3. Livability Campaign
Economic Development does not have one singular definition.
Attracting businesses is only one strategy. We also need to
concentrate on attracting and retaining residents. Livability is a
key part of this strategy.
Goal: Document and have a plan for promoting livability in Cottonwood, Jackson,
and Nobles County.
2 phases….

4. January –March 2016 Community Meeting #1
Existing Conditions Meeting- Inventory of community events and amenities – this
inventory will be created prior to the meeting by the SRDC and local organizations
and groups. SWOT Analysis – A SWOT analysis will be conducted as part of the
first meeting. The Strengths and opportunities will be highlighted as topics to
market (who and funding sources). Weaknesses and threats will be developed
into goals and strategies.
SWOT Analysis – A SWOT analysis will be conducted as part of the first meeting.
The Strengths and opportunities will be highlighted as topics to market (who and
funding sources). Weaknesses and threats will be developed into goals and
strategies.

5. April - June 2016 - Community Meeting #2
Goals and Strategies Meeting - Cottonwood, Jackson, and Nobles County will all
have their own goals and strategies meeting.
SWOT Analysis – A summary of the SWOT analysis will be
discussed. Avenues to market the strengths and opportunities will be developed
into goals and strategies. Avenues to address the weaknesses and threats will
also be developed into goals and strategies.

6. Social Media Breakfast Club Online - Live feed & Archive

7. Smart TV Campaign
Installation of five Smart TVs, related software and camera equipment in member and regional communities
that would enable businesses and residents to participate remotely in SMB events.
● Strategically located in five communities in four different counties: Slayton (Murray County), Westbrook
(Cottonwood County), Round Lake (Nobles County), Adrian (Nobles County), and Heron Lake (Jackson
County).
● Live Social Media Breakfast meetings would still be encouraged and possibly expanded in the region.
Each recipient community’s match will include
● Free meeting space.
● Manpower to facilitate and aggressive promotion of the resource and events to ensure success of the
program.
● Depending on engagement success, we intend to capitalize on demand.

8. NEON (Nobles Economic Opportunity Network)
● FREE Public Internet Access Hotspots.
● PC’s For People.
● Introduction to Digital Literacy Course.
● Digital Inclusion Through Community Ed.
● Digital Literacy For Diverse Communities.
● Feasibility Study.

9. Free Public Internet Access Hotspots

10. Introduction To Digital Literacy Courses
● Final process of curriculum development and has been brought to the local
curriculum board for approval.
● The next step is to have it approved by the Academic Affairs committee, which will
make it a permanent offering at the college for credit.
● Recruitment in high schools began the first week in October for scholarship
applications.
● We will connect with regional school counselors at the beginning of 2016 to
promote this opportunity to students.

11. Digital Inclusion Through Community Ed
● Six classes were advertised in our fall Classes & Activities catalog targeting senior
citizens, adults and ethnically diverse community members.
● Five of the six classes will be held, although enrollment numbers have been lower
than expected. One class, Computer Basics for Seniors) was canceled due to
insufficient enrollments.
● The classes that are being held include: Facebook Basics (one daytime, one evening);
iPad Basics (one daytime and one evening); and Skype/Facetime Basics (evening
only).
● ABE department now has a teacher (Bridget Smith) in the computer lab every
Tuesday to help people work on developing their computer skills and to take the

12. Digital Literacy for Diverse Communities
MN West is developing classes in digital literacy which will have scholarships available
and earning college credits.
● Laptops and tablets were purchased.
● Staff is being trained on Digital Literacy content.
● Classes will be taught in native languages for the different communities in our area.

13. Thankful!
SW Minnesota is THANKFUL for all the help and support we’ve received from the
Blandin Foundation and it’s supporting staff.