Preconference: Comprehensive community approach to broadband
Strategies for communities active in or considering broadband infrastructure and use initiatives
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President’s Message – December 2021
I still wash my dishes by hand and peel potatoes with a paring knife like my Grandma Larson. I think about her while I do it, about having the same hands as hers. She must have peeled a million potatoes with those hands. And while I believe we carry traditions along with us, I also love that I press a button on …
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Reflections on “Farm Fresh Broadband: The Politics of Rural Connectivity”
October 14, 2021 | Session Notes and Recording In his new book, Professor Ali offers an analysis of the failure of U.S. broadband policy to solve the rural–urban digital divide and a proposal for a building a better broadband future. Ali will describe what it would look like to create a multistakeholder system, guided by thoughtful …
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Remembering Gene Radecki
It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of Gene Radecki, who died on July 1, 2026. Gene’s love for Grand Rapids began in childhood, when his family spent summers on Wabana Lake, beginning a lifelong relationship with a place and people he would one day serve faithfully. Gene’s connection to …
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Report: Community Vibrancy and the Greater Grand Rapids Area
A Study of Resource Intersection and Needs
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RS Fiber
To the members and Board of Directors of RS Fiber and their supporting communities for their unwavering commitment, courage and innovative approach that launched a new broadband cooperative providing fiber optic connectivity to residents in 10 communities and robust wireless services to farms and rural residents across multiple counties resulting in more competitive enterprises and …
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Scholarship Voice: Anne McKeig
From Federal Dam to the state bench As a teen, Anne McKeig set her sights on practicing law. Her focus, determination and willingness to tackle new challenges propelled her career path – the early stages of which included a Blandin Foundation Education Grant – to one of the highest destinations: becoming the first Native American …
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Scholarship Voice: Ayushi Patel
Ayushi Patel: Full-circle living and serving in rural Minnesota Ayushi’s life has taken her across continents and across the U.S. Yet she has remained grounded in rural north-central Minnesota, where she now lives and works To my family. Thank you for being my number-one support system through every stepping stone of my life. It is …
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Scholarship Voice: Dennis Prosen
Plants and polymerase: points along the path of a science career Dennis Prosen’s curiosity has cultivated a rewarding, varied biotech career. His roots in Coleraine – and a Blandin Foundation scholarship – gave him the strong start he needed, and a way to nurture future generations of learners. The Blandin scholarship inspired me …
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Scholarship Voice: Jamaal Baird
Blazing toward success in college A standout athlete at Deer River High School, Jamaal Baird was looking for a career that offered physical and mental challenge – and an edge of excitement. In his first year at Itasca Community College, he’s well on his way to reaching that goal. He also is the student featured …
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