News – Page 2 – Koochiching Technology Initiative

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

Informational Meetings Nov. 26

2019-11-192019-11-19adminNo Comments

We’re looking for great ideas for using technology to make our community an even better place! EVERYONE is welcome to an informational meeting to find out more about applying for a grant through KTI in partnership with the Blandin Foundation. KTI members will be on-hand to answer questions and help develop ideas. Tuesday, November 26 at Noon and 6 p.m. Ballan’s i-Space 4th Street, Int’l Falls Click here for application information.

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)

Paul Bunyan Communications Applies for Grant Funding

2019-08-262019-08-26adminNo Comments

August 26, 2019, International Falls, MN – Efforts to get high-speed internet in some Koochiching County homes and businesses received a boost this week when Paul Bunyan Communications announced it’s applying for grant funding through the Border-to-Border Broadband program. If funded, the company could offer services to more than 1,200 locations in Kabetogama, Pelland Junction, Ericsburg and Ray. Since funders take local support into consideration when approving awards, residents are encouraged to send letters of support. “Our goal is to maximize the points the application receives for community interest,” says Steve Howard, Paul Bunyan Information Technology and Development Manager. Letters of Support Needed By September 9 According to Howard, letters… Read More

Sample: Letter of Support

2019-08-202019-08-26adminNo Comments

Paul Bunyan Communications Attn: Steve Howard, 1831 Anne St NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 email: showard@paulbunyan.net DATE To Whom it May Concern, I’m writing to express my support for the Paul Bunyan Communications grant application that would make it possible to offer broadband services in my area. My husband/wife/family and I live in ______________, in Koochiching County. While we love living here, lack of strong, reliable internet hampers our quality of life. We can’t do many of the things people in other areas may take for granted: checking email, sharing pictures with family, connecting through social media and much more. High speed internet would also make work-from-home opportunities possible in our area,… Read More

Kabetogama Support Needed by August 21

2019-08-152019-08-19adminNo Comments

Paul Bunyan Communications has announced it is seeking grant funding for a broadband project in Koochiching County. The first grant, through IRRRB, includes Kabetogama and is DUE AUGUST 21. You can help increase the application’s likelihood of success by writing letters of support to: Paul Bunyan Communications Attn: Steve Howard 1831 Anne St NW Bemidji, MN 56601 Or email showard@paulbunyan.net. The company is also applying for grants for other areas in the county through the Border-to-Border Broadband program. More information regarding the projects areas and what you can do to help will be available soon. Please share this information with your neighbors to help spread the word and get broadband access… Read More

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

BBC Letter of Support HRA

2018-06-07adminNo Comments