In the recently released 2013 Rural Pulse survey, it was found that 76 percent of rural Minnesotans thought today’s economy was worse or the same as compared to one year ago. The need to attract new, high-quality jobs continues to be a key concern, over twice as important as education. This concern was evident in the …
Today, the Daily Yonder took a deep look into a recent poll released by the Center for Rural Affairs. In their article, they summarize the poll’s findings while answering the central question: Will rural be better off in four years? The response seems split. Younger rural residents are generally optimistic about the future, while there’s an overall …
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (June 24, 2013) – At their June 13 meeting, Blandin Foundation trustees selected three distinguished Minnesota community leaders to join the Foundation’s board of trustees, effective January 2014. Dr. Mike Johnson, chairman of the Foundation’s board, announced that three Minnesotans emerged from a statewide search: Kandace Creel Falcón, Ph.D. (Moorhead), William D. …
“I like to think Blandin Foundation is in the hope business,” said Blandin Foundation President Kathy Annette in a recent speech. Quite a few years earlier, Napoleon Bonaparte echoed this thought when he said, “A leader is a dealer in hope.” That’s what the Blandin Community Leadership Program has been doing for over 25 years …
Hunger is intangible. You can’t see, hear or touch it, but it’s all around us. Yesterday, members of Blandin Foundation’s Board of Trustees learned how hunger can impact the health and vitality of a community while touring Second Harvest North Central Food Bank in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. During the visit, Board members learned that 40% …
In 2010, the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) project was born from a $4.8 million Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Eleven demonstration communities were invited to utilize grant funding to implement a number of broadband projects from 2010 to 2013. Communities collaborated with over 30 statewide partner …
Can a small community stimulate new business based on the use of an ultra-high-speed broadband network? This question nipped at Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP) alumnus Scott Adkisson as he weighed on how to capitalize on Red Wing being chosen as a US Ignite program partner. “At first, people didn’t get it,” said Scott. “It’s …
The Blandin Community Leadership Program is currently accepting applications for fall 2013 retreats. Since 1985, BCLP has provided leadership training to more than 6,000 leaders in over 400 Minnesota rural communities. The program is centered on three core competencies: Framing: Engaging others to identify, choose, and define issues affecting community health. Social Capital: Building a …
What does Gloria Estefan, pianist Michael Feinstein, singer/songwriter James Taylor and the Deer River High School Choir have in common? The answer: a passion for music and the technology to bring them together. On May 22, 2013, the 3rd annual Bridging the Gap Concert kicked off with a performance by Emerson Middle School in Los Angeles, …
“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” ― Bryant McGill Blandin Foundation has special relationships with the 26 communities in the Itasca area. One way Blandin Foundation President and CEO Kathy Annette nurtures these relationships is to host listening meetings in each one to learn …