bordertoborder

Border to Border Broadband

Border to Border Broadband
Advancing the Vision

September 13-14, 2016
Greysolon Ballroom – Duluth, MN

“Everyone in Minnesota will be able to use convenient, affordable world-class broadband networks that enable us to survive and thrive in our communities and across the globe.”

The vision created at last year’s Border to Border Broadband conference has been endorsed by nearly 100 organizations and units of government around the state. This work is the inspiration for this year’s conference theme, Advancing the Vision.

Plan to gather on September 13-14, at the iconic Greysolon Ballroom in Duluth to connect with others, and to hear first-hand about the great work being done across the state to advance the vision.

The conference will kick-off with a reception, dinner and program on Tuesday, September 13. On Wednesday, individuals involved in a number of the state-funded broadband infrastructure projects will give updates. Paul Bunyan Communication’s CEO Gary Johnson will close the conference with his reflections on what gigabyte means for communities, including rural communities.

Border to Border Broadband: Advancing the Vision is sponsored by Blandin Foundation with support from DEED’s Office of Broadband Development. It is an opportunity to connect and reconnect with others working for a future in which everyone in Minnesota will be able to use convenient, affordable world-class broadband networks that enable us to survive and thrive in our communities and across the globe.

PCLS Supports Broadband

The Plum Creek Library System (PCLS) endorsed the Minnesota Broadband Vision through a Resolution passed April 4, 2016.

Vision
Everyone in Minnesota will be able to use convenient, affordable world-class broadband networks that enable us to survive and thrive in our communities and across the globe.

More regional broadband support

By adding their names to the Minnesota Broadband Vision, regional library boards are showing their support for a future in which residents of all generations and backgrounds will have access to affordable, high-quality broadband. Included on the growing list:

Great River Regional Library (GRRL) – March 15

Kitchigami Regional Library (KRLS) – March 17

Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) – March 17

Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) – March 17

Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative (TdSLC) – March 17

Viking Library System (VLS) – March 15

With its many community interests, The Blandin Foundation initiated the Minnesota Broadband Vision campaign. This includes sharing news and information on broadband use, policy and trends. There is even an “I Endorse the Minnesota Broadband Vision” Facebook page to “like” as well as post local support.

ECRL Personal Broadband Story

Only in its third day, the East Central Regional Library (ECRL) broadband support campaign has solicited some persuasive stories. Consider this comment from a Princeton resident:

I moved from one residence within ECRL region to another in the region within the last 3 years. I was able to get DSL at the former residence. I now live even closer to a major highway but internet service is not available at my “new” location except by paying for a hotspot through Verizon that is VERY expensive and the cost is based on usage so I have to very carefully choose what I can do online, limit my downloads, etc., so as not to go over my usage limit. When I moved, I was told Centurylink/Qwest has the “rights” to where I now live so I checked first with them about getting internet service since they are my landline telephone provider. I was told that, yes, they “own the rights” to my address but have no idea when or if they will provide internet service there. I am in a residential area, 3 miles from town and next to a major state road so I most certainly ought to be able to have inexpensive and unlimited internet access.

For more information on the ECRL broadband support efforts

ECRL Push for Broadband Support

MN Broadband Vision 2016 East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is in the midst of a marketing campaign to generate support for the Minnesota Broadband Vision and solicit personal stories. This follows the February 2016 ECRL board meeting, when the board endorsed a resolution supporting the Minnesota Broadband Vision stating that “everyone in Minnesota will be able to use convenient, affordable, world-class broadband networks that enable us to survive and thrive in our communities and across the globe.”

Components shared with each of the 14 ECRL locations include:

Press release announcing the efforts
Poster (11 x 17) of the broadband resolution signed by ECRL board president, Mike Warring
A broadband table tent
An online survey, as well as on location half-sheets to collect personal broadband or Internet stories
Broadband petition to be shared with with area legislators

The ECRL broadband publicity efforts will continue through March 26.

SELCO Supports Broadband Vision

The Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) Board of Directors joins the ALS, ECRL, NWRL, and PLS regional library boards in support of the Minnesota Broadband Vision. The SELCO resolution stresses the broad array of vital library services which depend on broadband or high speed Internet. The resolution urges Governor Dayton and the members of the Minnesota Legislature to provide leadership, resources and the necessary legal framework to make this vision a reality.

Libraries around the state are encouraged to seek support from local governing authorities, community groups, and individuals who believe that Internet access is an equity issue for all Minnesotans.

ALS Supports Broadband Initiative

The Arrowhead Library System (ALS) Board of Directors adopted a resolution encouraging the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Dayton to provide sufficient resources for border to border broadband.

Libraries around the state are encouraged to seek support from local governing authorities.

Click here for more information

ECRL First Region to Endorse Broadband Vision

High speed internet service is essential to individuals, communities and the libraries that serve local residents. The regional library systems are seeking library board support for the Minnesota Broadband Vision and the East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is leading library efforts. ECRL is the first regional board to pass a supporting resolution. In her role as the 2016 Legislative Chair, ECRL Director, Barbara Misselt, sought endorsement from both the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) Legislative Committee and the MLA Board.

Broadband Resolution

Members of the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) Legislative Committee endorse the Minnesota Broadband Vision. This library specific resolution will be recommended for adoption by the MLA Board later this month. Libraries around the state are encouraged to seek support from local governing authorities.

Resolution by the MLA Legislative Committee

CRPLSA will post a list of library endorsements, as shared. For more complete information on support for the broadband vision from around the state, follow the Broadband Vision Facebook page.

MN Broadband Vision

Karen Pundsack, GRRL Executive Director, joined other conference participants as they collaboratively developed a broadband vision for Minnesota:

Everyone in Minnesota will be able to use convenient, affordable world-class broadband networks that enable us to survive and thrive in our communities and across the globe.

Cities, counties, community organizations, and regional libraries are actively showing support by endorsing the vision. During the coming months, CRPLSA members will seek approval from their regional library boards. The Bladin Foundation has crafted a draft resolution to aid in generating support. Follow the Broadband Vision Facebook page to keep up with endorsements.