Blandin Broadband
Initiative
Minnesota e-Health System
Development
July 17, 2006
Blandin Broadband Initiative
• Guided by a 18 person Strategy Board that
represents all of the major stakeholder groups
• Published Community Guide to Broadband
Development for local leaders and other
information resources
• Convened policy conferences in 2004, 2005, with
the next one October 18-19, 2006, Alexandria, MN
• Launched Get Broadband: Keeping Communities
Competitive
• Created state broadband vision in 2005
A Broadband Vision for MN
• “To ensure a high quality of life and a
globally competitive future for its
citizens, businesses and communities,
Minnesota is committed to making the
necessary investment to become a
world leader in the universal
deployment and use of ultra highspeed next generation broadband.”
Get Broadband Program: Keeping
Communities Competitive
A community-based
program to increase
the use of
broadband-based
technologies to make
communities,
residents & institutions
more productive,
efficient and
competitive
Blandin Provides
• Up to $15,000 per
community on a
matching basis
• Technical
assistance/coaching
• Program guide
• Get Broadband
“Toolkit”
• Cohort convening
• Pre and post program
user surveys
Communities Provide
• Cash Match
• Steering Committee
• Goals (overall community goals and
individual sector goals)
• Educational program design &
implementation
How can the Health Care
Community work with us?
• Help identify communities that will
participate in the program.
• Help organize and participate on
Steering committees
• Other ideas?
Thank You!
For more information go to
www.Blandinfoundation.org