Blandin Foundation announced that it has awarded five grants totaling $149,000 that assist rural Minnesota communities in advancing high-speed Internet access and use in their communities.
Boreal Community Media (BCM) is a nonprofit community organization based in Grand Marais providing affordable Internet access, services and support to organizations, individuals and businesses throughout Cook County. BCM will benefit from grant funding to create a youth-driven civic digital news service called Boreal Corps.
Formed in 1995, Boreal Community Media originally was formed to bring Internet service to Cook County. Nearly a quarter century later, BCM is a vital community connector, offering robust, locally-produced community news, information and interactivity.
The Boreal Corps project will boost youth participation in civic life by producing local news and develop their digital skills by inviting them to create community-driven content. There will be two cohorts: grades 4-8 in the spring and 9-12 in the fall.
“Rural students often face an opportunity gap in terms of learning to master rapidly evolving digital media technologies,” said Jeff Latz, chairman of the board of directors of Boreal Community Media. “This innovative Blandin-supported program is intended to close that gap and to help Cook County students be in the vanguard of youth who possess the critical skill set needed for 21st century success.”
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