Living Connected in Benton CountyLocal Government View

Nancy Hoffman Economic Development Director

www.BentonCountyConnected.org

Benton County MIRC

• Planning Process

• Projects funded

• Good To Great Example

• Evaluation

• Planning – Strategies

Planning

• Organized a Steering Committee

• Held a Community Meeting– Provider Directory – Assist Business– Access – physical and ubiquity

• Sent out an RFP and held a Bidders Conference

Independent Lifestyles, Inc.A Center of Independent Living

Project BRAVE: Broadband, Resources And Vocational Exploration

Set up a computer lab open to the their clients and the public and provide computer training

Purchased equipment for the computer lab including computers to be used by disabled.

Partnership with Duet Wireless

Project name: What’s up in Foley Community WebsiteIncrease exposure to the community’s events, information and opportunities

Non-profit organizations take advantage of many features through the website at no charge

LA Home CarePartnered with Cybermation

Project name: Smart Home Technologies – Grand Care•Enhanced ability for aging members of the community to live longer at home

•Activities of Daily Living monitoring Internet communications (Skype, email, etc)•Tele-Wellness supporting an entire network of caregivers •Ease of access to the internet for aging

and Great River Regional Library

Created a new City of Foley Interactive Website -Benefiting over 2,600 residents, this new website, and the services provides: online

payments, auto pay, information about utilities, ordinances and notices and more

Purchased of computers to provide public internet access and training – library hours for use by the public, free of charge

Foley and Sauk Rapids Rice Community Education

Will increase computer lab time for students and the community this fallOffering basic computer skills classes and classes through the U of M - at little to no charge to residents and businesses of Benton County Computer classes for learners to explore computers, Lego robotics, on-line classes and fun computer projects that are not in school curriculum

Country ManorProject name: Enriching LivesProviding iPads for use by tenants and residents

The iPads have helped tenants/residents learn about new technology. Several have set up gmail accounts

Enhance intergenerational learning – Sartell High School students in the LINC program will help teach seniors how to use the technology.

Best Practices

www.BentonCountyConnected.org

“Going From Good To Great”

Leveraging ResourcesSustainability

Gaining Momentum

Good To Great Example

• Independent Lifestyles– Leveraged the MIRC Grant < 1:1– Community Ed is teaching classes– DEED’s Digital Literacy Class 18 - 82– Minnesota Learning Commons online class

for for job seekers– Grand Care System – Independence– PC’s for People – 15 out to residents– Atomic Learning Open House

MIRC

www.BentonCountyConnected.org

Community Evaluation and Planning

Where do we go from here?

Evaluation & Planning

• August 23 community meeting with Stakeholders

– Assisting Business– Provider Brochure– Access

Planning

• Robert Bells report and recommendations– Inclusion of Intelligent Community Themes in

Economic Development Marketing – Creation of a task force to guide development – Creation of a documented strategy and

programs – More public access locations (WiFi vs

computers)– Stop “Brain Drain” connect students to

business

Strategies• Continue working with Partners and increase collaboration

• Economic Development/Intelligent Community Marketing and MIRC Education with SCSU and SCT&CC

• Inventory WiFi locations and those without – Provide Routers or service in public places

• Purchase IPads for SR-R Community Ed. To be used community wide

• Additional Programs for Business – “Change or Become Obsolete”

• Complete the U of M Project – Roadside Marketing – now along with the Great River Road program

Living Connected in Benton County Web Site

www.BentonCountyConnected.Org