Blandin Broadband Community Outreach Program

November 19, 2015

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.

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

Branding

Webpage – Sherband Webpage

.

Webpage – www.sherband.com

Webpage: www.sherband.com

Facebook Page: Sherband

Advocate at Community Events

Advocate

Advocate

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

Broadband Grant Award

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.

Advice & Challenges

• Huge time commitment from the leadership team

• You will need buy-in from your county commissioners

• Significant community leader involvement