1) Dakota Future got excited about Google's announcement and took initial steps like creating a website, logo, and Facebook/LinkedIn groups to promote their bid for Google Fiber. 2) Local reactions were mixed, with some seeing potential benefits but others feeling projects in other communities had greater need. 3) Dakota Future has been working for over a year according to the Intelligent Community model and was recently designated a Smart 21 Community, showing their commitment to technology and economic development.

1. Our Story

2. When Google made it’s announcement, Dakota Future got excited and did the following: Created a web site (you are on it!) Created a logo (you are looking at it!!) Created a tag line (Your Only Obvious Choice!) Raised a bit of money (About $10k) Created Facebook and LinkedIn groups (Don’t bother looking there!) Started gathering data (Great stuff!) Thought that we would zoom right by Duluth and Topeka in the media (Didn’t happen!)

3. What our companies and citizens said… “Oh, that would be nice.” “Don’t those poor people in Duluth need this more than we do?” “Facebook – I don’t need no stinkin’ Facebook.” “We are a bit too busy innovating, doing business, improving health care, teaching kids, becoming more efficient, and/or making money to waste my time chasing some long-shot deal with some fancy northern Californians with a funny name! But if they do decide to come here, GREAT/FANTASTIC/SIGN ME UP!!!”

4. Why this reaction? Many Dakota County residents are descendants of folks who settled in Lake Wobegon, made famous in Garrison Keillor’s radio show “Prairie Home Companion.” Still after these many years in Dakota County, we still are the people whose women are strong, whose men are good-looking and whose children are all above average. We are not flamboyant like our self-promoting Duluth neighbors to the north. We are, however…

5. We are quietly proud … Of our global Smart 21 designation by the Intelligent Community Forum To be home to Minnesota’s leading technology growth companies Of our excellent parks, public facilities and services from government and public schools which supports an excellent quality of life. Of our culture of successful collaboration within the public sector and in private-public partnerships

6. Technology-based Achievements Minnesota’s 1st E-Commerce Ready Community; Dakota Future emerged from this initiative over five years ago. Multiple city initiatives and studies around broadband Collaborative city/county INET Collaborative city/county broadband work group Creation of Next Generation Broadband video

7. Intelligent Community Approach 15 months ago, Dakota Future adopted the Intelligent Community model and set a goal to reach the Top Seven global Intelligent Communities by 2012 Completed activities Benchmarking 2010 designation as a Smart 21 Community out of over 400 applications Current activities Five work groups, plus a leadership team, committed to defining the necessary steps to achieve our goal by this time next year.

8. Things that Dakota Future knows… Achieving community vitality and economic competitiveness is not a 45 day sprint chasing the prize of a broadband network; our work continues with or without Google Working across traditional lines requires positive relationships; our partners are trustworthy Building the network is the easy part of what we believe Google hopes to demonstrate

9. Things That Google Should Know The Google network would immediately accelerate several existing initiatives; we have many opportunities in which Google can be a part – health care, aging, work environment, economic development, e-commerce, transportation and education Dakota County, a part of the Twin Cities Metro Area, is a great place to live, work, recreate and do business. You will like it here.

10. This Application is a Partnership Our local governments Our colleges Our health care providers Our companies We invite you to join this partnership! There are infinite opportunities for success here in Dakota County!!

11. Tele-health Partners

12. Provider Partners

13. Promoting Telework

14. Education Partners

15. Detailed information on Dakota Future, our communities, our Intelligent Community Initiative and your opportunities is provided on this web site.Dakota County is a special place where exceptional performance is the norm. We invite you to seriously consider our Dakota County Community!

16. Thank you… For raising the bar on the definition of broadband in the USA! For your willingness to risk your capital, both financial and brand, by launching this initiative! For your careful consideration! “Dakota County – the only obvious choice!”