Blandin Foundation has selected nine rural Minnesota communities for intensive, two-year partnerships to advance local broadband initiatives.

Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa, Itasca Economic Development Corporation, Kanabec County, Lake County, Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services, Lake of the Woods County Economic Development Agency, Lac qui Parle Valley School District, Mille Lacs County and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe all have become Blandin Broadband Communities.

The new program provides planning and organizing support to regions that demonstrate readiness and resources to either bring robust broadband adoption to communities without it, or assist already connected communities to make the best use of information and services broadband can deliver.

"Broadband is a community imperative," Dr. Kathy Annette, Blandin Foundation CEO, said in the announcement. "Vibrant, resilient communities depend on abundant and robust access to the Internet, and the digital literacy skills necessary for everyone to take full advantage of this access."

The communities must define their technology goals, measure current levels of broadband access and use, engage the broader community, and promote opportunities such as training and refurbished PCs. Ultimately, Blandin Broadband Communities design and drive initiatives that position their communities and every resident for greater success.

"We've been doing broadband work for 10 years, and know that communities have to tackle themselves the tough issues related to broadband access and use-there is no substitute for local leadership," said Bernadine Joselyn, director of Blandin Foundation's broadband initiatives. "We also know how complex this work can be, and work to match community resources and vision with technical resources, grants, connections to peer communities and steady support.

• DEED commissioner promotes Dayton's trade initiative - 5/18/2013
• Wisconsin's jobless rate unchanged at 7.1 percent - 5/17/2013
• Bent Paddle joins area craft brewing industry - 5/16/2013
• ALLETE: Solar initiative will raise costs for customers - 5/15/2013
• Minnesota's jobless rate declines - 5/15/2013