The UMVRDC, as one of 11 Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities funded through the Blandin Foundation and the US Department of Commerce, has $75,000 in seed funds for projects that promote the use of broadband technology and that can show measureable outcomes by March 2012. Eligible recipients include local units of government, not-for-profit organizations including health care facilities and schools. Private, for-profit entities can participate in partnership with eligible organizations. Match requirements vary. Proposals are due November 22.
Successful proposals will support the list of regional priorities and implement the Intelligent Community (www.intelligentcommunity.org) elements.
Intelligent Community Elements
- Broadband – ensuring wired and/or wireless broadband availability
- Knowledge Workers – ensuring that workers have the skills necessary for good jobs
- Digital Inclusion – ensuring that all have broadband access and necessary skills
- Innovation – providing new or more efficient government and business services
- Marketing/Advocacy – attracting investment and talent to your community
UMVRDC Regional Priorities for MIRC Funding
- Improve e-service options and training for students and employees.
- Organize a regional GEEK Squad for IT help and training.
- Promote increased at work time for training existing employees.
- Develop a system for young volunteers teach technology to others.
- Develop more local e-government services and practices:
- All communities will have community websites and business listed on-line
- Government data will be online within 2 years.
- Develop best practice technology templates for sharing across governments.
- Increased technology collaboration across counties.
- Increase public sector data sharing (ie; tax assessment, mapping, board meetings).
- Improved e-services for the public sector (ie; online bill pay).
- Provide more in-home tele-health access.
- Develop a challenge fair at the high schools for Broadband Innovation Projects and a technology based student business incubator.
- Implement infrastructure improvements to increase access (including fiber) and provide more cost options for consumers.
- Recycle and redistribute used computers in the region.
- Develop more WiFi “hot spots” in the region.
- Increase telecommuting opportunities/promotion.
Click here to download the Request for Proposals: UMVRDC RFP (PDF) or UMVRDC RFP (Word .doc)
Click here to download the MIRC Regional Priorities: MIRC Regional Priorities
For more information, contact Dawn Hegland or Jacki Anderson at 320-289-1981.
