Living Connected
in Benton County
Local 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 Website
Increase 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 Care
Partnered 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 fall
Offering 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 Manor
Project name: Enriching Lives
Providing 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
“Going From Good To Great”
Leveraging Resources
Sustainability
Gaining Momentum
www.BentonCountyConnected.org
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
Community Evaluation
and Planning
Where do we go from
here?
www.BentonCountyConnected.org
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