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MRP Broadband Study notes from Cook County

Notes/Minutes from:
Meeting: Community Technology Action Group (new name: Northwoods Net)
Subject: Broadband Market Education and Development Effort
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 3, 2004 3:00-4:00pm
Location: Cook County Courthouse, Lower level ITV room

Attended: Diane Booth, Community Education; Linda Chappell, Public Library; Sue McDonnell, Boreal Access; Mike Roth, City of Grand Marais; Danna Asche, Cook County

1. Report from January 13 - Broadband conference. - Sue McDonnell attended the St. Cloud conference that focused on local governments helping to bring broadband services to their communities. She said there was a lot of excitement from local government officials about this issue. She brought back several copies of a newly released guide from Blandin entitled: "Increasing Economic Vitality: A Community Guide to Broadband Development."
   
   A request is being made to write letters/contact our legislators regarding a bill to establish a Broadband Infrastructure Fund. Details will follow shortly from Sue M.
   
   
2. Committee reports:
   1. Media/Identity - Paula has already completed 3 radio interviews with several more planned. The group has proposed a name for our group and that is Northwoods Net. The name of the radio spots are "E-lynx Reports from Northwoods Net, a Cook County technology initiative."
      
   2. Business Users - No one from this committee was at the meeting. Kate Surbaugh emailed saying the Chamber is interested in hosting a series of after-hours events focusing on technology use. They are looking for help identifying technology users/uses that would be appropriate for these events. Possibly UPS e-shipping business presentation??
      
   3. E-Gov/Community Leadership-Danna, Diane and Mike are working out the details for an E-Gov workshop that would include city, county and school representatives and community members. The desired outcome is to educate users and stimulate discussion to develop a list of features to be included in upcoming versions of the city, county and school websites.
      
      
3. Finalize calendar of events.
   
   1. We picked April for the month that free New Horizons classes will be available to community members. Danna will contact Bill Coleman and get the ball rolling.
      
   2. Attached is a list of currently scheduled events.
      
      
4. Feb 20th - Train the trainer event - Diane Booth will check to see if she can attend this event on our behalf. Can anyone else attend?
   
   
5. Next meeting was scheduled for March 2nd, 3pm Courthouse ITV room.
   
   

Cook County Area Broadband Technology Education Campaign
Calendar of Events - January - May, 2004

JANUARY

• Jan. Cook County News Herald article - Re: high speed internet access through satellite technology.
  
• Jan. 20th Comm. Ed. Class -Beginning Microsoft Word 2002
  
• Jan 23rd Comm. Ed. Class -Baffled By The Internet
  
• Jan 23rd Comm. Ed. Class -Intermediate Microsoft Powerpoint 2002
  
• Jan 27th Comm. Ed. Class -Beginning Microsoft Powerpoint 2002
  
• Jan Radio Interview - "E-Lynx Report from Northwoods Net: Henry Helgen - Broadband Issues"
  
• Jan Radio Interview - "E-Lynx Report from Northwoods Net: Jeremy Ridlbauer - Broadband Issues"
  
• Jan Radio Interview - "E-Lynx Report from Northwoods Net: Roberta Romero - Retail Broadband User"
  
• Jan 29/30 Proof of concept with Syntegra 802.11 panels- Grand Marais

FEBRUARY

• Feb 4th Radio Interview - "E-Lynx Report from Northwoods Net: Jack McDonnell - Syntegra Wireless Pilot"
  
• Feb 11th Radio Interview - "E-Lynx Report from Northwoods Net: Tom Gaylord - Retail Pharmacy Broadband User"

MARCH

• March E-Gov workshops

APRIL

• April New Horizons Classes Available Free to Community

MAY