Friday, August 22, 2003
Minnesota's Center for Rural Policy and Development has released its latest tracking report on the deployment of broadband in rural Minnesota.
If you are an EDPro in a rural area, you can use this report as a guide to launching your own analysis. Download a copy of the 2003 Rural Minnesota Internet Study from this page. Go.
Minnesota Wireless represents a shining success story in the state. The company has grown to 430 employees and 300,000 subscribers.
The company has successfully leveraged the state's Technology Catalyst Grant Program, which allocated $1 million to cover 25 percent of the cost of providing high-speed wireless Internet to nine rural communities. The state estimates that the program triggered an additional $6 million in private investment.
The expansion of broadband into rural areas has been critical in keeping some growing rural companies competitive. As the CEO of Miiesota Wireless notes, ""You can participate in the global economy, and you don't have to drive into the Twin Cities." Learn more.
posted by Ed Morrison |
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Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber:
Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Building broadband in rural Minnesota
