This document summarizes discussions at an April 2021 meeting of the Blandin Broadband Communities Strut Your Stuff Tour in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Representatives from local organizations presented several current and planned projects to expand broadband access and digital literacy. Projects included distributing 100 laptops and internet hotspots to residents impacted by COVID-19, outfitting public spaces with technology for remote work and learning, and providing free public Wi-Fi in several communities. Future plans discussed establishing virtual career fairs for youth, expanding coding education, and helping local businesses improve technology resilience. Challenges and next steps were also discussed.

1. Blandin Broadband
Communities:
Strut Your Stuff Tour
Otter Tail County
April 22, 2021

2. Agenda
› Welcome, introductions & check-in by local
hosts/attendees
› Meeting Purpose - Bernadine
› Community presentation
› Blandin response
› Future steps
› Adjourn

3. Community Presentation
› Who is involved?
› What activities and projects are being
implemented?
› What are your teams’ plans or ideas for the future?

4. Who has been involved?
› Steering committee
› Viking Library System
› 4 county branches
› CareerForce & Rural MN CEP
› Local telecommunications companies
› Arvig
› Park Region
› City, Chamber, and EDA partners
› School districts
› Battle Lake
› Underwood
› PCs for People

5. Planning Outcomes
› Increased access to families/individuals without internet access (e.g.
subsidized services, centralized wi-fi, etc.)
› Enhancements for kids and educational systems.
› Public education around broadband, why it's important, etc.

6. Tech Pack Project
Presented by Erin Smith
› 100 Tech Packs provided to Otter Tail County residents
who experienced economic impacts due to COVID-19
› Laptop computer
› Wireless hotspot device with 6 months prepaid service
› Digital resources for jobseekers from CareerForce
› Funded by CARES
› 53% of the recipients reported that they did not
currently have internet access at home.
› All but 3 recipients reported either not having a
working computer at home (70%) or that they shared a
computer with other household members and did not
often have access (27%)

7. Smart Rooms Project
Presented by Erin Smith
› 6 indoor public meeting spaces outfitted with
audiovisual equipment for job interviews, virtual
meetings, distance learning, etc.
› Upgrades to 4 public libraries
› Battle Lake City Hall meeting room
› City of Vergas Event Center
› Funded by CARES
› Exploring options for additional spaces funded by
Blandin grant

8. Free Public Wi-Fi Project
Presented by Erin Smith
› 4 new locations with free public wi-fi
› Battle Lake Public School parking lots
› Underwood School activity buses
› Kirkbride Park in Fergus Falls
› Downtown New York Mills
› In partnership with Park Region
› Funded by CARES
› Exploring option to turn on wi-fi at Phelps Mill Park

9. Projects in
process

10. Youth Exposure to Tech & Careers
Presented by Amy Baldwin, Klara Beck, NeTia Bauman, and Sarah Schake
› Virtual Career Fair
› Partnership between Greater Fergus Falls and Fergus Falls Schools
› Blandin funds added 6 businesses outside Fergus Falls area and
expanded marketing efforts countywide
› STEAM offerings in summer childcare programs
› Fergus Falls YMCA expanding coding education and other technology
education
› Perham Boys & Girls Club adding coding robots to their programming
– was on their 'wish list'!
› In discussions with City of Fergus Falls Kids Kamp
› Exploring digital media and arts class options

11. Digital Literacy & Access
Presented by Erin Smith
› Added webcams to 50 desktop computers from PCs for People
› Targeting distribution to senior citizens and families receiving human
services assistance
› Exploring options to add tech support and digital literacy resources

12. High Tech Companies
Presented by Lisa Workman
› Shift goal from recruiting high tech companies to improving business
resilience through technology
› Equipping existing businesses with better technology knowledge
› Business technology audits
› Assess business needs related to digital security and safety, email, POS
system, e-commerce, etc.
› Partner with consultants for audits and education
› Pilot for larger digital education program for businesses

13. Going Forward
› What challenges are you facing?
› Budget timeline
› How can the Blandin team be more helpful?
› Are you observing any community-wide impacts yet?
› What are your post-BBC plans?
› Lead For Minnesota fellow on board to advance projects
› Business resilience education program
› Leveraging broadband-focused State and Federal recovery
funding
› Other feedback?