Pam Lehmann speaks at Senator Klobuchar’s Broadband Summit Aug 24, 2010 in Minneapolis, MN
August 24th, 2010
Here is Pam’s speech for Senator Klobuchar’s Broadband Summit Aug 24, 2010 in Minneapolis, MN. She was on a panel with the following:
- FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski
- Tim Lovaasen, President, Minnesota Communications Workers of America
- Bernadine Joselyn, Director of Public Policy and Engagement, Blandin Foundation
- Bruce Kerfoot, President and Owners, Gunflint Lodge Grand Marais, MN
- Rick King, VP and COO for Thompson Reuters & Chair, Minnesota Broadband Task Force
Read on for her comments…
My name is Pam Lehmann. I am the Executive Director for the Lac qui Parle County Economic Development Authority.
Thank you Senator Klobuchar for your continued support of quality broadband coverage for Minnesota businesses and residents.
Lac qui Parle County is a rural county in West Central Minnesota with a total population of under 8,000.
As of today, Farmers Mutual Telephone has deployed fiber to the premise technology to all of their existing customers — which is approximately 25% of the homes and businesses in our county. Farmers Mutual Telephone is a locally owned telephone cooperative in our area.
It was because of the advanced vision shown by Farmers Mutual Telephone Co. that the public-private partnership between Lac qui Parle County and Farmers was formed.
On August 4, 2010 we were awarded $9,652,956 in grant/loan funding from the USDA RUS NTIA program.
The impact of this $9.65 Million dollar project will be felt for generations in Lac qui Parle County.
At the start of this initiative in 2007 our ultimate goal was to be the first county in Minnesota and one of the first counties in the country to be completely Fiber to the Premise. We didn’t know if we could attain this goal – but we didn’t want to set the bar too low and “settle” for what current providers were willing to offer.
Now that we have been funded – we know that:
At least 165 businesses, 12 community institutions and 1800 residential homes will have access to fiberoptic services – reaching over 5,000 additional residents in Lac qui Parle County.
As we launch this project to become one of the leading technology counties in the state, we are confident that in the near future we will see an influx of:
new businesses
expansion of existing businesses
healthcare initiatives
educational pilot projects
entrepreneurial ideas
telecommuters
telehealth
e-commerce and more
These changes will then generate increased population which will increase:
business for local retailers
enrollment at our local schools
employment opportunities
membership in local organizations
participation in area arts & humanities events
appreciation for our outdoor activities & attractions
As this cycle of technology advances good things will continue to happen and will ensure the sustainability and growth of our rural county in West Central Minnesota.
Similar to efforts undertaken by those who worked so hard to get electrical and telephone service to rural parts of the state in previous generations – what we are undertaking in this project will continue to impact our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren far into the foreseeable future.
Posted in ARRA Broadband Funding, Broadband Updates, Commuter Computer, Events | Comments (1)
August 24th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
[...] (Read Pam’s comments) [...]