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MRP Broadband Study notes from Tracy

(Jan 7, 2004)
Nine communities have been selected to participate in the Minnesota Rural Partners' Rural Broadband Promotion Project. It is an effort to stimulate the use of broadband technologies in places where DSL, cable modems and wireless Internet services have been deployed. All of the communities have populations of less than 2,500 people.

Tracy is one of the communities that has been selected along with Bird Island, Canby, Grand Marais, Hoyt Lakes, Madelia, Milan, Moose Lake and Starbuck. Each community has developed a partnership with a local high-speed Internet Service Provider and strategic community organizations, such as local schools, higher education, and local technology businesses with the goal of promoting the use of high speed Internet for applications such as e-commerce, distance learning, health care, and e-government, and entertainment.

We have developed an implementation plan to conduct technology training and demonstrations, provide technical assistance to technology end-users and engage other methods to expose the benefits of broadband technologies. A number of technology events will occur between January and May 2004. At the end of the project, we will measure the positive changes in technology usage by community members, businesses and organizations. Members of the committee include Robert Gervais - Community Development Director, Bill Tauer - Community Education Director, Lary Parker - owner of Tracy Computer and Office Supply, Kevin Haney - owner of Tracy Technology Center, Melanie Pamp - webmaster at Tracy Publishing and Sue Ann Moyers - Prairiewave Representative.

Communities are seeking outcomes, including more use of broadband by local businesses, gaining a reputation for being a "tech-savvy community," providing options for youth to remain in the community, and the development of e-government applications.

Events being planned by our local group include:

January 16, 2004 - location: Twin Circle Apartments Time: 2:30
We will be coordinating this event with the Senior LinkAgeLine program, offering people information on how to research health care information on the internet and basic internet usage. This event is free to the public.

February 13, 2004 - location: Tracy United Methodist Church Time: 12:45
We will be coordinating this event with the Prime Timer Valentine Bingo Party, offering people information on how to develop and send personnel greetings, cards and more to friends and family over the net. This event is free to the public.

February 27, 2004 - location: Tracy Computer and Office Supply Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Basic Internet Skills - come to this event and learn and improve your basic internet skills. Great class for seniors and first time computer users. Fun, friendly and not frightening! Free!

March 1, 2004 - "Spring Cleaning for Businesses" - location: Tracy Computer and Office Supply
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Business owners and employees should come and see what "E-business" can do for you. Free!

March 15, 2004 - "Spring Cleaning for Homes" - location: Tracy Computer and Office Supply
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Home owners/renters can come and see how to utilize technology to organize your daily life. Free!

April 2004 - "Wireless Options" - location: Tracy Technology Center Time: TBD
Come to this event and find out how to go wireless, costs, benefits, etc.

April 17, 2004 - Tracy Area Sportsmen's Show - location: Prairie Pavilion Time: 9 AM to 5 PM
Come to this event and learn how technology can enhance your sporting experiences.

May 5, 2004 - "QuickBooks for Business" - location: Tracy Computer and Office Supply Time: 8 AM to 5 PM
Introductory class for businesses to learn the basics of QuickBooks. A great class for your business to take advantage of. The Tracy EDA will be offering an incentive for participating businesses that successfully complete the class! Cost is $99.

May 2004 - "The World of Weather" - location: Tracy Technology Center Time: TBD
Kevin Haney will be taking you through the world of weather via the internet! Find out how you can track local weather from Kevin's site, right here in Tracy! Free!