A presentation for the 2015 Border to Border Broadband conference in Minneapolis MN. Sponsored by the Blandin Foundation.

1. Blandin Broadband Community
Outreach Program
November 19, 2015

2. Community Outreach Program
• 2014 local survey indicated 60% of the total respondents
felt the current telecommunication services in the area put
them in a competitive disadvantage
• Our Goals: Educate, Partner & Advocate
• The group consisted of about 25 community leaders with a
leadership committee of 6 members
• Focused on working with private/public sector partnerships.
• This is a group whose goal is to enhance the quality of life
for citizens through efficient use of technology.

3. Process
• We hired a marketing firm to:
• Create a marketing “Brand” for our group
• Develop a webpage
• Create Educational Materials
• Write educational bi-weekly broadband related blogs
• Create promotional items to hand out at various events
• Our group then:
• Contacted our Local Elected Officials
• Created a Facebook Page
• Created an Educational Video Broadband Access
• Attended Various Community Events

4. Branding

5. Webpage – Sherband Webpage
 .

6. Webpage – www.sherband.com

7. Webpage: www.sherband.com

8. Facebook Page: Sherband

9. Advocate at Community Events

10. Advocate

11. Advocate

12. Successes
• A Broadband Townhall was hosted by Senator Mary
Kiffmeyer
• 5 Local Legislators, 3 County Commissioners, and 3
providers attended
• The room was full and the meeting was covered by the
local media

13. Broadband Grant Award

14. Additional Opportunities
• Two separate wireless companies are making inquiries and
appearing at local cities and townships about
partnerships/sponsors.
• Two local providers have applied for additional Border to
Border Broadband funds.
• The County approved spending $25,000 to conduct a
broadband feasibility study. Blandin matched the funds for a
total of $50,000. The study will be completed by December
15, 2015.
• Countywide relationships have developed and partnerships
will be on-going.
• Providers are aware of the need and the demand for
improved services.
• Progress is being made. We just need to keep the
momentum rolling.

15. Advice & Challenges
• Huge time commitment from the
leadership team
• You will need buy-in from your county
commissioners
• Significant community leader involvement