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Ground Level Blog

Another warning bell on cities and their money

The League of Minnesota Cities released a report saying that in five years, cities all over Minnesota will be broke. That should start a conversation.
by Dave Peters

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Almost 200 turn out to talk about Brainerd’s future

Nearly 200 people attended an Initiative Foundation-sponsored “community vision” session to consider the future of Brainerd.
by Dave Peters

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A marketer’s view of Baldwin

The marketing firm Claritas theorizes that the communities in which people live dramatically affect their purchasing habits and has developed a series of categories they call segments to define different demographic groups. Their website allows you to look up any zip code in the U.S. and find the set of consumers that live there.

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Getting youth involved

When looking for volunteers for community development projects, it’s important not to overlook youth residents. Engaging in projects helps them learn new skills, while creating a better community for them to live in.

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Pew broadband report cites Minnesota effort

The Pew Center on the States is highlighting Minnesota’s broadband goal-setting efforts but urges the nation to do more.
by Dave Peters

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Getting to Seattle is easy, but what about West Union?

Public transit in rural Minnesota is a patchy affair but better than it has been.

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Pew report on broadband coming out Monday

The Pew Center on the States is putting out a report Monday on how states are boosting their role in expanding high-speed Internet access.
by Dave Peters

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Headwall hearings arouse core issue

Headwall hearings brought to the surface an identity crisis is at the core of Baldwin Township — a desire to have better planning, but a large group of residents who are appalled by too much government involvement.

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Baldwin dive team lawsuit dismissal upheld

Minnesota’s court of appeals upholds the dismissal of a lawsuit brought against the Baldwin Township fire department for creating a dive team.
by Dave Peters

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A lesson from smallpox: You can fix the system

Epidemiologist and philanthropist Larry Brilliant, who helped eradicate smallpox, remains optimistic and urges people to act in concert to create a sustainable lifestyle.
by Dave Peters

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