Redwood Area grant recipients talk about impact of Bandin Foundation funds

By Troy Krause

In February 2015, a planning meeting was held in Redwood Falls to talk about a new program being offered in Redwood County. The program, which was offered through the Blandin Foundation, was an effort to help the county improve broadband access and enhance technology services in the region for its residents.

Grant dollars were made available for local projects that would help with everything from education to services that improved the quality of life for county residents, and this past Wednesday morning a program was held to celebrate the impact of those grant dollars in Redwood County.

Called “Strut Your Stuff,” the celebration held in the Redwood Area Hospital’s education room, allowed those who requested and received funds to show Blandin officials the impact those dollars have had on the region.

According to Julie Rath of the Redwood Area Development Corporation (RADC), there were 10 projects in the county that were funded through Blandin grants totaling $90,848, and those grants were also used to leverage other funds.

As a result, more than $160,000 was invested in everything from getting computers in the hands of families in need to enhancing medical services at the hospital.

One such project was the development of a training site at the Redwood County courthouse. Called Redwood Connect, the site is set up to train people to use technology for personal use as well as in work.

According to Paul Parsons, Redwood County technology coordinator, the site is being used regularly for county staff trainings, as well as for classes residents can take to help them better understand computers and the Internet.

Blandin grant funds were also used to set up classes in the training center for the public, with the RADC and Redwood Area Community Education teaming up to develop a series of classes that have been well attended and continue to grow in popularity.

“The classes are intended to be inexpensive,” said Rath, adding that way more people can come and participate.

Other technology enhancements were made at the Redwood Falls Public Library and in the Redwood Area School District’s early learning program. The early childhood family education (ECFE) program received grant dollars to purchase interactive SMART Board technology that is helping the community’s youngest residents develop technology skills they will not only use as they continue in their education but for the rest of their lives. An additional $10,000 grant was provided through the Orrin Estebo Foundation that provided a third SMART Board. That technology is not only available for the ECFE program but is also offered to the public.    Click here to read the full article!