Minnesota Public Radio decided to put Greater Minnesota through an “economic stress test” this month. We visit several communities that face some of the toughest economic problems to be found in Minnesota, and will test the strength and breadth of an economic recovery. There are many Minnesotas. I thought this was an interesting snapshot of […]
When the Gales of November Come Early
On the anniversary of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald
Telling a Story Using Social Media
3rd of 3 Blandin webinars ahead of #mnbb09
Great Places Finds Fargo (and more)
Places with a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for tomorrow.
What is New Shall Be Old Again
Hot Club of Cowtown at Murray County Central High School, 13 October 09 Whit Smith on guitar and vocals Elana James on fiddle and vocals Jake Erwin on bass Wishful Thinking, Hot Club of Cowtown‘s new release, is in the Top 10 on the Americana Radio Chart, but they are Number 1 on my list of […]
Google Voice Would Not, Could Not Connect to Rural Users
[v=Zy7J578FLaA] Rural cell phone users are used to mocking the Verizon Wireless ads with the guy who constantly asks, “Can you hear me now?” I would love to meet that guy and say, “NO, not if you live in the country we can’t here you now, yesterday or tomorrow!” It’s like that dang Green Eggs […]
Minnesota Feedlot Tours
Feedlot tours scheduled to highlight Open Lot Agreement projects ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is hosting three feedlot tours this month to highlight the state’s Open Lot Agreement (OLA) program. The program was established in October 2000 to help livestock producers reduce and eliminate the amount of runoff pollution from […]
Future of Communities in America's Resurgent Heartland
Blandin webinar with Dr. Delore Zimmerman, Praxis Strategy Group #mnbb09
Republican State Convention 2009
I was a delegate to the 2009 Minnesota Republican State Convention this past weekend. The agenda for the off-year convention was full of bylaws and constitution changes—real “inside politics” stuff that most folks find particularly and annoyingly boring. I’m not most folks (I read zoning ordinances for fun) and I’m grateful for my neighbors giving […]
A Futurist's View of Rural Development, and more
Blandin Webinar Series: Realizing Our Broadband Future Here’s a chance to listen in on some really smart people discuss some important issues for Greater Minnesota and Rural America. I worked with Dr. Delore Zimmerman when I was an Associate at the Center for the New West and executive director at Traill County Economic Development Commission. […]