Money world

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced Thursday that it has awarded a $4.7 million grant to the Blandin Foundation and 19 partners in the Minnesota Intelligent Communities coalition to enhance broadband access in rural Minnesota communities.

The grant comes from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The program is administered through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

The Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities coalition will use the funding to extend small business technical assistance and training, expand hours for access to workforce centers, distribute refurbished computers, train individuals and business, create courses for knowledge workers, and bring to Minnesota an online network of care for mental health workers. Projects will target rural Minnesota residents and communities, especially those unemployed and seeking employment, small businesses, coalitions of government entities and local leaders.

The Blandin Foundation, a Grand Rapids grant-making organization whose mission is to strengthen rural Minnesota communities, will administer the grant on behalf of coalition partners.

The total cost of the coalition’s proposed projects is estimated at more than $6 million faxless cash advances. Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities coalition members will contribute $1.3 million in resources as match toward the effort.

Eleven demonstration communities throughout rural Minnesota also will receive up to $100,000 each to develop and demonstrate broadband projects through the grant. Those communities include Benton County, Cook County, Grand Rapids/Itasca County, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Stevens County, Upper Minnesota Valley region, Thief River Falls, Willmar/Kandiyohi County, Winona, Windom and Worthington.

Blandin Foundation submitted in August 2009 the application for federal broadband stimulus funding on behalf of University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, University of Minnesota Crookston, Association of Minnesota Counties and their national counterpart, Network of Care Mental Health, Intelligent Community Forum, Minnesota Renewable Energy Marketplace, Minnesota Department of Economic Development Workforce Centers, PCs for People and Minnesota’s nine Regional Development Commissions.

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