The C.K. Blandin Foundation worked to make broadband an integral part of Minnesotans’ lives through the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) project. MIRC was a collaborative project between the Blandin Foundation and project partners focused on supporting individuals and communities in rural Minnesota, especially the unemployed, small businesses, local leaders, and coalitions of government entities. The Blandin Foundation estimated that it had encouraged more than 56,000 households to subscribe to broadband services.

The Blandin Foundation partnered with the University of Minnesota Extension (UME) to provide technical assistance and training to small businesses in rural areas. UME held training and outreach events and provided technical assistance to small businesses with fewer than 10 employees in the retail, food, and tourism industries. The organization was also able to provide outreach to approximately 6,000 small businesses with a primary focus on minority and women-owned businesses.

Another project partner, the Minnesota Renewable Energy Marketplace (MNREM), provided technical assistance and training to renewable energy businesses in rural areas, and delivered at least 1,500 hours of training and technical assistance. MNREM resources focused on industry-specific, customer relationship management, and e-commerce applications designed to produce efficiencies and promote business growth.

Jim Hoolihan, former president and current trustee of the Blandin Foundation, stated, “In this incredibly fast-paced world of the Internet, one thing is clear: communities that invest in broadband connectivity, a robust knowledge workforce, digital inclusion, innovation and marketing, and advocacy will harness the power of the Internet and overcome barriers of distance. That’s the goal, and the critical work, of this statewide coalition.”