05-19-2015 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MAY 19,2015 MEETING MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Jurchen, Commissioners Rieck, Roggenkamp, and Merritt ABSENT: Commissioner Stroot ALSO PRESENT: Nancy Malecha, Finance Administrator/Deputy City Clerk; Matt Kilian and Jenna Crawford, Chamber of Commerce; Mike Fynboh, Cascade Computers; Chris Lindholm, Pequot Lakes School Superintendent; Sheila Haverkamp, BLAEDC 1. Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Jurchen at 8:02 a.m. 2. Approval EDC Minutes COMMISSIONER RIECK MOVED TO APPROVE THE APRIL 21,2015 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES. COMMISSIONER MERRITT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Broadband Discussion Mike Fynboh from Cascade Computers informed the Commission on the differences between the broadband providers in the area from an information technology perspective. Mr. Fynboh noted that TDS focuses on T1 lines that are bonded with their telephone service. He explained their speed ranges of 1.5 MB to 16 MB, how this varies between upload and download speeds, and the minimal broadband service in the rural outlying areas. Charter Communications' services were discussed. Mr. Fynboh noted that their services are focused in corridor areas rather than residential areas. He stated that their service speed is 40 MB download, good upload speed, and even though their bundled services tend to be cheaper, Charter tends to suffer from reliability. CTC's services were discussed. Mr. Fynboh noted that their services are currently as close as the Gull Lake area and their download and upload speeds are approximately 60 MB. Chair Jurchen stated that offering personal broadband packages in the rural areas would need to be subsidized due to the enormity of the investment and equipment costs. Sheila Haverkamp noted that money for this is not easily accessible and companies should be expected to contribute as well.