Intelligent Community

A New Model For Minnesota

Blandin Foundation and

Dakota Future are using the Intelligent Community

framework to drive major initiatives.

The Intelligent Community Forum

combines a broadband based

economic development

framework with an international

recognition program.

BROADBAND

KNOWLEDGE WORKFORCE

INNOVATIONMARKET ING

DIGITAL INCLUSION

The ICF Framework

CriteriaBroadband

Access

Price

Use

Digital InclusionComputers

Public access

Training

Knowledge Workforce

Education and Training

Business – Education Partnerships

InnovationNew ways of creating and delivering products and services by all sectors

Systematic creation and support of new business enterprises

Marketing and AdvocacyMarketing to an external audience to attract investment and talent

Advocacy to an internal audience about technology, careers and other broadband economy factors

Why this framework is

successfulBrings diverse partners and stakeholders together around a larger vision

Magnifies the importance of collaboration between key public and private sectors

Demonstrates the “essential utility” nature of broadband and its support of economic development

People and groups love recognition!

Intelligent Community Initiatives in Minnesota

Dakota Future A Smart 21 Global Intelligent Community

Blandin Foundation MN Intelligent Rural Community Program

Dakota FutureLaDonna Boyd, Dakota Future Chair

In January 2009, the Dakota Future board of directors

adopted the Intelligent Community

framework and set a goal to be a

“top seven” community by

2012.

This is where Dakota County want to be!

Pursuit of Top Seven

Contract with Intelligent Community Forum to perform the Community Accelerator benchmarking

Obtain funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to implement the Accelerator Benchmarking

Engage the Dakota County business, education and government sectors to gather data and stories for the benchmarking

Arrange logistics and promote attendance at our Intelligent Community event

Compared to previous Top Seven

Communities, Dakota County was:

Above average in broadband, knowledge workers and digital inclusion.

Average in innovation

Well below average in marketing and advocacy

Excellent in programs and outcomes

Average or below average in strategy development

Continued PursuitCreation of work teams around the five Intelligent Community elements, plus a leadership group

January – May timeframe

Work group charge: Develop strategies that will lead us to reach the Top Seven

Attract stakeholders

Develop consensus

Create ownership of initiatives

Implement

Apply for 2011 competition by September 24

OutcomesCountywide Google Fiber application with individual applications from four communities

City-county broadband group working to create a more unified rights of way management system to ease fiber deployment

Global and local recognition and speaking opportunities to promote Dakota County

Positive reinforcement of benefits of countywide and cross-sector collaboration

Blandin FoundationMN Intelligent

Rural Communities Project

Bernadine JoselynDirector of Public Policy and Engagement

MN Intelligent Rural

Communities Project

A $4.8 million dollar grant to drive broadband

adoption and use in greater Minnesota using

the Intelligent Community economic

development framework

MIRC OutcomesIncreased culture of use of broadband-based services

Increased efficiency and effectiveness of digital literacy training service delivery

Increased economic vitality in rural Minnesota communities

Partners and RolesBusiness Training

UM Extension

MN Renewable Energy Marketplace

Citizen TrainingMN Learning Commons

DEED Workforce Centers

OutreachRegional Development Commissions

SupportPC’s for People

University of MN – Crookston

Intelligent Community Forum

11 Demonstration Communities

Others?

Utilizing the Intelligent Community approachBroadband

Increased public access

Possible hotspot creation

Digital InclusionPublic access

Digital literacy training

PCs for People

Knowledge WorkforceMore access to WFC

Digital Literacy Training

Knowledge Worker Career information

Atomic Learning

InnovationNew uses of technology within business, education and government

Small business technology assistance

Assistance provided by MES and MNREM

Marketing/AdvocacyFocusing on internal technology advocacy

Local messaging

Community teams focusing on project development and implementation

Demonstration Communities

Upper MN Valley RDC

Willmar

Windom

Winona

Worthington

Benton County

Cook County

Grand Rapids Area

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

Stevens County

Thief River Falls

Demonstration Communities

11 Intelligent Community Demonstration Communities

Each community has a commitment of up to $100,000 in funds to implement their Intelligent Community Initiative

Communities must implement a minimum of four projects

All must fit into one of the Intelligent Community elements

At least one project must address digital inclusion

Demonstration Communities

Led by a Project Coordinator in each community and local Steering Committee of key community stakeholders

Baseline utilization surveys

Goal setting

Project identification

Project implementation (funds for adoption of community-impacting technology applications (health, education, government, business)

Expanding Our Partnership Possibilities

Internet Service ProvidersPartnering with PCs for People?

Joint promotion and marketing efforts?

IndustryCommunity

LibrariesVirtual workforce centers?

Sites for training?

Others?Your ideas welcome!

Questions?