GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (June 26, 2018) – Blandin Foundation recently shared with 344 Itasca area students that they have been awarded grants of up to $4,500 for their education after high school, putting higher education better within financial reach. The total amount awarded for 2017-18 is $1,053,200 to students from 11 area schools. “Students from …
MPR’s Ground Level series is about listening throughout the state to build bridges across differences. Last week they hosted a conversation here in Grand Rapids. You can find the recording here. Among the topics: local insights on the Ground Level Survey of Minnesotans, and rural brain gain, a trend tracked by University of Minnesota Extension researcher Ben Winchester.
Two-year program provides planning, technical and financial support for four communities Grand Rapids, MINN. (June 14, 2018) – Blandin Foundation announced today that it has renewed its partnership with Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation to advance access to and use of broadband in the region through the Blandin Broadband Communities (BBC) program. The selection process …
Kayla Hawkinson lives — and makes life happen — in Chokio, Minnesota. This young leader and BCLP alum shares her passion for making a difference in her community in this post from the Live Wide Open blog. Our friends at the West Central Initiative Foundation and others initiated the Live Wide Open campaign to showcase …
NBC News online reports today on the difference broadband makes for rural communities, and the challenges community leaders take on to bring high-speed internet to their community. Minnesota’s Lake County is a bright spot, where community leaders came together to craft a solution that fits their needs and dreams. https://nbcnews.to/2HDnZz1
Daily Yonder, a national online news source focused on topics that impact rural, posted today about a research project we funded that explores the economic impact of broadband in 5 rural Minnesota communities. You can read the article, and explore the full research project.
Grand Rapids, Minn. (May 30, 2018) — Twenty-eight residents of the Bois Forte, Fond du Lac and Grand Portage reservation communities returned May 11 from a five-day leadership retreat. This was the first segment of an intense seven-day training provided by the Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program (BRCLP). The team also will participate in three …
Grand Rapids, Minn. (May 15, 2018) – As part of its commitment to strengthening rural communities, Blandin Foundation has named 10 communities where it is making available Blandin Leadership Program training in 2019. Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP) Residents of Aitkin, Blackduck-Kelliher-Northome, Fairmont, Faribault, Glencoe, Lake City, Planview and Quad Cities (Eveleth, Gilbert, Mt. Iron, …
We’re seeking four new communities to join the next cohort of Blandin Broadband Communities. If your community is eager to improve broadband access and use — check out this information! Applications due May 31.
Grand Rapids, Minn. — Twenty-six residents of the Alexandria area returned April 27 from a five-day leadership retreat, the first segment of an intense eight-day training provided by the Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP). The team also will participate in three follow-up workshops. A program of the Grand Rapids-based Blandin Foundation, BCLP has provided experiential …