Ground Level®: Amplifying Community Voices

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February 23, 2011 5:41 AM

New Minnesota broadband report makes disparity clear

The Minnesota Commerce Department and Connect Minnesota are publishing the latest assessment of the state’s Internet availability, and the report shows substantial variation around the state.

by Dave Peters

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February 22, 2011 11:03 AM

Sibley County commissioners take next broadband step

Sibley County commissioners voted 3-2 to join a joint powers board that could ultimately make fiber-optic Internet service available to all homes and farms in the county.

by Jennifer Vogel

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February 18, 2011 4:27 AM

Does the Internet show rural ‘communities’ are getting larger?

Community-based broadband projects tend to be tackled at the county level, not the city level, these days.

by Dave Peters

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February 17, 2011 9:16 AM

Kick the tires on the National Broadband Map

The federal government has released its much-awaited National Broadband Map.

by Dave Peters

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February 17, 2011 4:17 AM

Is online learning “the other side of the rainbow” for cash-strapped rural schools?

Could rural schools really use online learning as a way to beef up resources without bankrupting their budgets?

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February 17, 2011 2:30 AM

Government innovation: Vote for a favorite idea

The University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute is holding a local government innovation awards program again this year. You can express your preference among about 30 ideas from around Minnesota.

by Dave Peters

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February 16, 2011 2:30 AM

Sibley County weighs broadband for farms

As Sibley County in central Minnesota considers whether to launch a community fiber optic network to build high-speed access to the Internet, county commissioners will make a key decision Feb. 22. Without their support, the project would be unlikely to serve all farms in the county.

by Dave Peters

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February 15, 2011 7:25 AM

Pleased cities prep for cuts anyway

City administrators in Minnesota were pleasantly surprised to hear Gov. Mark Dayton did not cut state aid to local government in his budget plan. But they realize reductions are still possible during the legislative discussions coming up.

by Jennifer Vogel