Broadband Webinar Series

Blandin Community Broadband Program webinars are designed to provide rural Minnesota leaders with information they can use to help transform their communities into tech savvy places to live, work and visit. Communities serious about attracting new businesses, entrepreneurs, young people, and tourists must consider technology and Internet access as an essential amenity for community economic growth and vibrancy.

Webinars are recorded and archived on the Blandin on Broadband blog. Click the links below to access the webinars.

Broadband Leadership Roundtable Discussions:

During the summer of 2020, weekly roundtable discussions were held on a variety of broadband-related topics with the goal of increasing the ability of local broadband leaders to solve their local broadband puzzle. Participants were invited to ask questions, promote broadband partnership opportunities, share positive experiences, and express frustrations. Host Bill Coleman had topics in mind, but participants could steer the conversation and initiate conversation around other topics.

Special Webinars:

• Meetings in the Time of Coronavirus: Tips and Tricks of Online Meetings – April 8
• Broadband and Education in the Time of Coronavirus – March 26

Broadband Leadership Webinar Series: Creating Successful Broadband Infrastructure Projects

The coronavirus pandemic has made it clear that access to broadband is necessary for everyone. Communities cannot merely hope that a comprehensive broadband solution will be delivered to their doorsteps; local leaders must take an active role to ensure their community’s long-term broadband needs are met — that broadband is an asset, not a constraint.

The series addressed broadband infrastructure project planning best practices and tips – from partnering effectively with ISPs and units of government, to working with broadband consultants, to successfully applying for public funds.

Archived Webinars:

Broadband Infrastructure

• Leveraging CAF II Dollars to Bring World-Class Broadband to your Community – July 19, 2018
• Broadband Finance Strategies – April 27, 2017
• Broadband at the County Level – March 9, 2017
• Broadband Considerations in Site Selection and Data Centers – February 11, 2016
• DEED Office of Broadband 2014 Projects: A Progress Report – October 8, 2015
• Universal Service Fund: Supporting Broadband in Rural Places – September 10, 2015
• NTIA’s Broadband Programs – June 18, 2015
• Partnership Models – May 14, 2015
• Organizing the Community Around Key Broadband Topics – Creating the Right Team – April 9, 2015
• Wireless Broadband: It’s Complicated! – March 12, 2015
• Fiber and Gigabit Networks: The Future is Here – February 12, 2015
• Getting Started on Community Broadband – January 8, 2015
• Border-to-Border Infrastructure Grant Program – July 10, 2014
• Approaches for Local Governments to Expand Internet Access – June 12, 2014
• DIY Tools and Strategies for Communities: Google Fiber is NOT Calling – May 8, 2014
• Making 700 MHz Wireless Work in Rural Minnesota – April 10, 2014
• Expanding Wi-Fi Access to Your Community – September 12, 2013

Digital Equity:

• Digital Literacy and Older Adults – February 22, 2018
• “Digital Inclusion” webinar series
  • Assessments, Training and Certifications: A Path Forward for the Digitally Excluded – September 14, 2017
  • Low Income Devices and Connectivity – August 10, 2017
  • Digital Inclusion Basics – July 11, 2017
• Working Effectively with PCs for People – July 11, 2013

Innovation:

• “Broadband-Enabled Innovation in the Home” webinar series
  • Emerging Trends in Minnesota Tele-Health – December 14, 2017
  • The Homework Gap: How Lack of Broadband Hinders K-12 Education – November 9, 2017
• Community Technology Centers – May 12, 2016
• Spurring Small Business Use of Technology – March 10, 2016.
• Creative Spaces, Creative Places – July 9, 2015
• Community Centers of Innovation – January 9, 2014
• Online Tools for Community Economic Development – November 14, 2013

Knowledge Workforce:

• Growing and Keeping Tech Talent – August 11, 2016
• Attracting Tech Talent – July 14, 2016
• Community Technology and Entrepreneurship Networking – October 10, 2013

Advocacy:

• How to be Effective at the Capitol – February 9, 2017
• 2017 Legislative Preview – January 12, 2017
• Census 2020: The Count Starts Now – November 10, 2016
• Broadband-Focused Economic Development Marketing – April 20, 2016
• Advocacy Groups: Who are They? – August 13, 2015
• Special Webinar: Broadband Development Fund Legislative Update – April 4, 2014
• Engaging Youth in Community Technology Initiatives – August 8, 2013
• Community Portals – June 20, 2013

Blandin Broadband Programs:

• Is the BBC Program Right for You? – March 15, 2018
• Blandin Broadband Communities 2015-16 – August 14, 2014
• Blandin Broadband Grant Programs – March 13, 2014

Do you have an idea for a future webinar? Send suggestions to Mary Magnuson.