Classes were held in various locations to teach attendees how to use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Many attendees then set up pages or profiles on these platforms. Donated computers were distributed to low-income families and organizations through a program called PCs for People. Various initiatives were discussed that aim to improve broadband access, use of technology, and economic development in the region.

1. Southwest MN
Broadband Services
{
Blandin Broadband Community Grant
2012-2014

2.  CLASSES HELD
 Immanuel Lutheran School Lakefield- 22
attendees
 JCC High School - 6 attendees
 Lakefield Library -11 attendees
 Jackson Library - 9 attendees
An Online Presence for
Everyone

3. Facebook
Twitter
Linked In
Material Covered

4. County Library Staff
Prairie Ecology Bus Director
Poppe’s Pumpkin Patch
Immanuel Lutheran Church
One on One
Training/Business Specific

5. Of the attendees:
__28__ now have Facebook
Pages
__10__ currently are on Twitter
__21__ are on LinkedIn
Enhanced Online Presence

6.  SMB’s monthly platforms were designed to
support and enhance the fundamentals taught
in the classes and foster ongoing learning.
Social Media Breakfast

7. PC’s for PEOPLE
PC’s for People – Julie
Foote

8. Donors
 PCs for People wants to make it as easy for you as
possible to help people gain access to technology.
 We make it easy for companies to donate their
computers by offering a cost-saving alternative to using
expensive corporate recyclers. Many companies even
qualify for free pickup!
 Individuals can make tax-deductible donations of
working computers and computer parts.
 All are welcome to make financial gifts to help us
further our mission of creating new opportunities by
providing personal computers and education to people
who have limited experience with technology due to
social, physical and/or economic circumstances.
PC’s for People

9. Eligibility
 To receive a computer from PCs for People a potential recipient
must be below the 150% poverty level or be currently enrolled in a
government assistance program. Below is the current 2014 poverty
guidelines and examples of programs that are eligible:
 Adult & Child Mental Health Case Management
 Employment Services
 Medicaid
 Food Support of Financial Assistance
 Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
 Section 8 or other Federal Public Housing Assistance
 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
 The National School Lunch Program's "Free Lunch" Program
 Head Start
 Extended Foster Care
PC’s for People

10. Recipients (received tower, monitor, keyboard, mouse and
cables)
 JCC = 46 PCs to Free and Reduced Lunch families
 SSC (Okabena) = 21 PCs to Heron Lake Okabena Free and
Reduced Lunch families
 Brewster Middles School = 15 PCs to Free and Reduced Lunch
families
 Immanuel Lutheran School = 20 PCs for computer lab
 Round Lake Community Center = 2 PCs for public use
 Heron Lake Assisted Living resident with MS
 Southwestern Mental Health client
 Local business covered 90 day warranty replacements =
Schrader Consulting, http://www.schraderconsulting.com/
PC’s for People

11. PCs for People
 What were the project Goals?
 Update computer lab with 25 PCs
 Intergenerational learning
 What were the best Outcomes?
 Updated OS, Office, and converted all to wireless
 Added classroom projector for instruction
 Where do we go from here?
 Develop classes that seniors would be interested in learning about
i.e. Facebook, Skype, Google Hangout…

12. Venue Purchase
• The HLO School District purchased devices
for classroom and community use.
• They are being used by members of the
community and students for learning and
other projects.

13.  Our Goal was to put technology in the hands of our Early
Childhood Family Education students and parents.
 Children are introduced to new educational games and
software at an early age. It also allows parents to use
technology and to be able to learn with their child.
 The most fun was watching the students use technology at
such a young age.
Round Lake Brewster Schools – Ray
Hassing

14. E-readers
I-pads
Jackson County Libraries
– Tam Erickson

15. iPads for Generational Use
Jen Tewes, Sanford Jackson
• iPads used for:
• Patient Education
• Child/family in emergency or lab
departments to decrease anxiety
• Educating patient on the use of
Sanford My Chart
• Inpatients to connect with family
and current events
• Surgical patients to pass the time

16.  Purpose is to make internet available in public
places
 Identified areas where people gather. Currently
installed at: Lakefield VFW, Heron Lake
Community Center, Sport Shots Tavern-Round
Lake, Okabena Liquor Store, Jackson Legion,
Silver Bucket in Brewster, continue to play
phone tag with Bergen Bar & Grill
WiFi Hotspots

17. Ride the Wave: 60/90
Corridor Initiative
{

18. Ride the Wave: 60/90
Corridor Initiative
 Connecting people and businesses to the Highway
60 / Interstate 90 / Highway 71 corridor through
umbrella marketing

19. Ride the Wave: 60/90
Corridor Initiative
 Communities boasting the latest in
communication infrastructure and
Internet connectivity
 Marketing fiber to your home or
business
 Marketing regional assets
 Attracting and maintaining an efficient
workforce

21.  The MN Public Broadband Alliance will research
and review the benefits of creating a technology
partnership to improve delivery of broadband
services and maximize broadband use by member
communities, with support of a $10,000 Blandin
Foundation grant.
 The project will look at how a technology alliance
could satisfy the common needs of publically
financed broadband networks. The MPBA will
identify other regional technology alliances that
could guide their effort, while also evaluating the
potential for member communities to serve as
mentors for additional communities wanting to
increase their broadband capabilities.
Blandin Foundation awards grant to the MN Public Broadband
Alliance for broadband collaboration study