Cottonwood, Jackson & Nobles County2015-2017 Blandin Projects - Regional Partners

60/90 Corridor Initiative - Alumni

3 projects to ensure sustainability of resources

and investment

● Livability Campaign

● Social Media Breakfast Club Online - Live feed & Archive

● Smart TV Campaign

Livability Campaign

Economic Development does not have one singular definition.

Attracting businesses is only one strategy. We also need to

concentrate on attracting and retaining residents. Livability is a

key part of this strategy.

Goal: Document and have a plan for promoting livability in Cottonwood, Jackson,

and Nobles County.

2 phases….

January –March 2016 Community Meeting #1

Existing Conditions Meeting- Inventory of community events and amenities – this

inventory will be created prior to the meeting by the SRDC and local organizations

and groups. SWOT Analysis – A SWOT analysis will be conducted as part of the

first meeting. The Strengths and opportunities will be highlighted as topics to

market (who and funding sources). Weaknesses and threats will be developed

into goals and strategies.

SWOT Analysis – A SWOT analysis will be conducted as part of the first meeting.

The Strengths and opportunities will be highlighted as topics to market (who and

funding sources). Weaknesses and threats will be developed into goals and

strategies.

April - June 2016 - Community Meeting #2

Goals and Strategies Meeting - Cottonwood, Jackson, and Nobles County will all

have their own goals and strategies meeting.

SWOT Analysis – A summary of the SWOT analysis will be

discussed. Avenues to market the strengths and opportunities will be developed

into goals and strategies. Avenues to address the weaknesses and threats will

also be developed into goals and strategies.

Social Media Breakfast Club Online - Live feed & Archive

Smart TV CampaignInstallation of five Smart TVs, related software and camera equipment in member and regional communities

that would enable businesses and residents to participate remotely in SMB events.

● Strategically located in five communities in four different counties: Slayton (Murray County), Westbrook

(Cottonwood County), Round Lake (Nobles County), Adrian (Nobles County), and Heron Lake (Jackson

County).

● Live Social Media Breakfast meetings would still be encouraged and possibly expanded in the region.

Each recipient community’s match will include

● Free meeting space.

● Manpower to facilitate and aggressive promotion of the resource and events to ensure success of the

program.

● Depending on engagement success, we intend to capitalize on demand.

NEON (Nobles Economic Opportunity Network)

● FREE Public Internet Access Hotspots.

● PC’s For People.

● Introduction to Digital Literacy Course.

● Digital Inclusion Through Community Ed.

● Digital Literacy For Diverse Communities.

● Feasibility Study.

Free Public Internet Access Hotspots

Introduction To Digital Literacy Courses

● Final process of curriculum development and has been brought to the local

curriculum board for approval.

● The next step is to have it approved by the Academic Affairs committee, which will

make it a permanent offering at the college for credit.

● Recruitment in high schools began the first week in October for scholarship

applications.

● We will connect with regional school counselors at the beginning of 2016 to

promote this opportunity to students.

Digital Inclusion Through Community Ed

● Six classes were advertised in our fall Classes & Activities catalog targeting senior

citizens, adults and ethnically diverse community members.

● Five of the six classes will be held, although enrollment numbers have been lower

than expected. One class, Computer Basics for Seniors) was canceled due to

insufficient enrollments.

● The classes that are being held include: Facebook Basics (one daytime, one evening);

iPad Basics (one daytime and one evening); and Skype/Facetime Basics (evening

only).

● ABE department now has a teacher (Bridget Smith) in the computer lab every

Tuesday to help people work on developing their computer skills and to take the

North Star Digital Literacy Assessment to track their progress.

Digital Literacy for Diverse Communities

MN West is developing classes in digital literacy which will have scholarships available

and earning college credits.

● Laptops and tablets were purchased.

● Staff is being trained on Digital Literacy content.

● Classes will be taught in native languages for the different communities in our area.

Thankful!SW Minnesota is THANKFUL for all the help and support we’ve received from the

Blandin Foundation and it’s supporting staff.