Tag Archives: MN

AN APPROACH NOT A SOLUTION: Escaping the Housing Trap—a Strong Towns Response

“At Strong Towns, we push back on the concept of a “solution.” There is no solution to the housing trap we find ourselves in… it’s always been an approach… People need to be able to try things, to respond to … Continue reading

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Diary of Orrin Brown—Dec 15, 1864

Diary of Orrin Brown, outside Savannah, Georgia Thursday–Dec. 15th We had to put our camp in order today. The rebs threw some shell into our camp today but done no damage, we also improved our breastworks today to shield us … Continue reading

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Diary of Orrin Brown—Nov 29, 1864

Diary of Orrin Brown, Louisville, Georgia Tuesday–Nov. 29th The day has been clear and warm, there has been some of our foragers killed by Rebbels today, we are still in camp here one mile east of Louisville. War is hell. … Continue reading

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Railroads Rebuked for Failing Freight Service

It used to be that at the very least you could count on the trains running on time. Not anymore.  The Red River Farm Network out of Grand Forks, ND, has great coverage of agricultural issues across the northern Great … Continue reading

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There’s Always Grad School

August is back-to-school time (unless you’re in Minnesota, then it’s one-last-trip-UpNorth time).  Two months on my new job trail and things are looking up, but if the usual suspects don’t come through, there’s always the option to go back to school. … Continue reading

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Symposium on Small Towns Set for June

The Center for Small Towns of the University of Minnesota at Morris presents an excellent conference each spring on small town and rural issues.  This is where I met Ben Winchester for the first time and started learning about his … Continue reading

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One Year in Wyoming

Twelve months have flown by since I moved back Out West to join the Laramie County Planning & Development Department, here in Cheyenne, Wyoming. There are many differences between the eastern side of the Great Plains in Minnesota and the … Continue reading

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Broadband Service, Training, Digital Inclusion, Innovation and Marketing Key to Rural Success

[v=3PP2Old8jo4] Intelligent Community Forum partners with Blandin Foundation to close the digital divide for rural Minnesota communities Published Wednesday, June 12, 2013 10:00 am $6.6 million project monitored 11 communities over two years and tracked increases as high as 60% … Continue reading

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Optimism for Small Towns at #APA13

Special thanks to Becky McCray for fitting my guest post into her Small Biz Survival blog the first of the month.  My friends at APA STaR may also include in the Division newsletter. Oh, the stories we have to tell…  … Continue reading

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Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities: Planning for Broadband #apa13

Broadband is essential infrastructure for the 21st century. Just as paved roads, electricity and drinking water supported development in the last century, broadband communications is required for development today. Yet as author William Gibson said, “the future is already here … Continue reading

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