Info – Koochiching Technology Initiative

KTI Allocates Funding for 12 New Community Technology Projects

2020-01-15adminNo Comments

Blandin Foundation Grants Totaling $75,000 Given to Kooch County Groups in Past Year Koochiching Technology Initiative (KTI) recently completed allocation of $75,000 in grants for local technology-related projects through the Blandin Broadband Community (BBC) program, funded by the Blandin Foundation. The group allocated almost $25,000 to 6 projects in May, 2019, and the remainder to 12 grantees in December. “Since its inception, KTI has had two goals: getting broadband internet to all of Koochiching County and allocating the grant funding we received as a Blandin Broadband Community,” says Ted Saxton, KTI steering committee member. “While we have made great progress on the first goal, I am particularly proud of our… Read More

Past Projects Funded by KTI and BBC

2019-11-21adminNo Comments

Koochiching Technology Initiative (KTI) is accepting grant applications for digital technology projects until December 13. This is the second round of funding that encourages community vitality by addressing the six Intelligent Community pillars of: Broadband; Knowledge Workforce; Innovation; Digital Equality; Sustainability; and Advocacy. Funding is provided by the Blandin Foundation through their Blandin Broadband Community (BBC) program. The BBC program favors requests around $5,000 or less, with a limit of $25,000. The group’s steering committee is available to help project leaders bring their ideas to fruition by facilitating a strong application for BBC and other funding sources. Past projects which have already received KTI/BBC funding include: Public wifi in Smokey… Read More

PBS Almanac Highlights Kooch County

2019-11-122019-11-13adminNo Comments

Click the link below to view the PBS Almanac news story featuring Koochiching County as an example of the need for broadband in rural Minnesota. Includes interviews and information regarding: Tom Dougherty of Rainy Lake Houseboats Thunderbird Lodge Joe Mershon, Koochiching Technology Initiative Frontier Communications Paul Bunyan Communications DEED border-to-border grants PBS Almanac “Broadband Struggles in Northern Minnesota” (5m 52s)

Fill Out the Survey

2019-07-242019-07-26adminNo Comments

High Density + High Interest = Broadband Service In order for ISPs and grant funders to consider an area for broadband, there needs to be high population density AND high local interest in the service. Our five priority areas for broadband service (Rogers Corner, Ray, Kabetogama, Pelland Junction and Rainy Lake) have a high density of homes and business, now it’s up to residents to show high interest. Luckily, that’s easy to do through the online survey! Simply click the links below and share with friends! Ray Pelland Junction Rainy Lake Roger’s Corner Kabetogama

Internet Survey Based On Your Address

2019-03-26adminNo Comments

Ray – https://survey.paulbunyan.net/ray Pelland Junction – https://survey.paulbunyan.net/pellandjunction Rainy Lake – https://survey.paulbunyan.net/rainylake Roger’s Corner – https://survey.paulbunyan.net/rogerscorner Kabetogama – https://survey.paulbunyan.net/kabetogama Koochiching Technology Initiative Improving Broadband Internet Access Help bring better internet service to Koochiching and Kabetogama. Many residents of Koochiching and Kabetogama do not have access to good internet speeds, or “broadband” internet, which the FCC defines as 25/3 (25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up). The Koochiching Technology Initiative (KTI) with help from Cooperative Network Services has identified five priority areas to target for internet improvement: Rogers Corner, Ray, Kabetogama, Pelland Junction and Rainy Lake. These neighborhoods don’t have broadband but do have a high enough density of homes and businesses that Internet Service Providers (ISPs)… Read More

Koochiching County Internet Survey

2018-09-172018-09-17adminNo Comments

Please take this short survey to help us identify the need for better internet service in Koochiching County and Kabetogoma. surveymonkey.com/r/7G65T9C The Koochiching Technology Initiative (KTI) is a group of community members who are actively seeking to improve internet access for people and businesses in Koochiching County. KTI came together in 2018 out of a longstanding recognition of the critical importance of improving internet access, integration and skills throughout our community. We have been accepted as a Blandin Broadband Community: a two year Blandin Foundation program of planning, consultations and possible funding to begin in December of 2018. The Koochiching Technology Initiative is part of Voyage Forward and will contribute… Read More