New on Main Street

EVENT
March 28, 2010
"Be Counted" Census Day of Action in Minneapolis, St. Paul
Join others in your community to knock on doors raising awareness about the Census.

BLOG
March 18, 2010
The Good, the Bad, and the Broadband Plan: Can we afford affordability?
Steven Renderos writes for the Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net)

MEDIA JUSTICE
March 9, 2010
(Im)migrants and the Internet: What access means
Main Street Project publishes overview of challenges and priorities

MEDIA JUSTICE
March 8, 2010
Social Science Research Council (SSRC) releases FCC-commissioned report: Broadband Adoption in Low-Income Communities
Main Street Project and other members of the Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net) played a key role in study, setting up dozens of community conversations with organizations and individuals who struggle with Internet access.

IN THE NEWS
March 4, 2010
Justice Dept.: Census confidentiality laws trump the Patriot Act
Clarification by government lawyers will help address fears about privacy -- Ed O'Keefe, Washington Post;

MEDIA JUSTICE
Feb. 22, 2010
More of "What's Your Internet Story?"
Rural and Native peoples add their voices

OP-ED
Feb. 19, 2010
Be counted: Census important to all Minnesotans
Main Street Project's Steven Renderos' opinion published

NEWSLETTER
Feb. 18, 2010 
Main Street Project moves into 2010 with great expectations and strong partnerships

MEDIA JUSTICE
Feb. 15, 2010
Community organizations agree on need for universal, affordable Internet access at Feb. 15 forum -- part of MAG-Net National Day of Action
Net neutrality, ability to own content also cited as important; Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie highlighted civic participation digital potential and barriers

EVENT
Feb. 15, 2010
Minneapolis Community Forum on Importance of the Internet, hosted by Minnesota Digital Justice Coalition
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie to speak on civic participation and the Internet

MEDIA JUSTICE
Feb. 10, 2010
More than 30 organizations have already taken the digital inclusion pledge
Add your voice to the call for universal access, equal access, self-representation and non-discrimination

EVENT
Feb. 26-27, 2010
The 10th Annual Globalization and Social Responsibility Conference, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN 
Regi Haslett-Marroquin part of panel discussion: "Immigrant Activism and Empowerment"

EVENT
Feb. 16, 2010
The Home Grown Economy 2010, Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall
Rural Enterprise Center's Regi Haslett-Marroqiun is part of 'Voices from the Field' panel 

ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATE 
Jan. 29, 2010
Edyael Casaperalta of the Center for Rural Strategies is named to Main Street Project Board of Directors

REPORT
Jan. 29, 2010
Midwest Rural Assembly publishes report of 2009 gathering
Broadband access, economic development, health care access and civic engagement all identified as priorities

IN THE NEWS
Jan. 23, 2010
Minneapolis Star Tribune profiles Regi Haslett-Marroquin and the Rural Enterprise Center's agripreneur training project
Sustainable farming, energy conservation, self-sufficiency for low-income immigrants, humane animal treatment, healthier food are all factors -- Kristin Tillotson

2010 CENSUS
Jan. 22, 2010

Multi-language Community Census Guide is available to support census outreach

Guide addresses concerns of immigrants, low-income, and communities of color (English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong)


EVENT
Jan. 23, 2010
2010 Census Leadership Training and Conference will focus on practical plans for encouraging participation in under-represented communities
Sponsored by Main Street Project and Minnesota Center for Neighborhood Organizing

MEDIA JUSTICE
Dec. 13, 2009
Minnesota Digital Justice Coalition recommends standards for broadband 'anchor institutions'
Community centers, schools and libraries are critical to providing Internet access for all

IN THE NEWS
Dec. 8, 2009
Edible Twin Cities profiles Hillside Farmers Cooperative
The co-op puts Latino immigrants on the path to earning livelihoods, according to article

MEDIA JUSTICE
Dec. 8, 2009
Minnesota Digital Justice Coalition launches 'What's Your Internet Story?' project
Main Street Project is part of coalition gathering stories from historically disenfranchised communities about Internet issues

MEDIA JUSTICE
Dec. 2, 2009
Rural Broadband Policy Group submits recommendations to FCC
Comments address broadband access, literacy, and relevancy to rural communities

MEDIA JUSTICE
Nov. 30, 2009
Main Street Project joins group submitting comments on the federal Broadband Initiative Program
Greater collaboration and transparency are among recommendations

IN THE NEWS
Nov. 19, 2009
American Pastured Poultry Association (APPA) interview Rural Enterprise Center's Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin
Article describes an efficient new model for raising chickens and building communities

IN THE NEWS
Oct. 26, 2009
Local, regional and national organizations prepare for 2010 Census at Oct. 24 Train the Trainer Event "Come to My Census"
Main Street Project is part of coalition working to ensure a fair and accurate count across all communities

EVENT
Oct. 24, 2009
Fargo-Moorhead community organizations invited to "Come to My Census!" training conference on the 2010 Census
Main Street Project and partners to share key messages and strategies for reaching hard-to-count communities

MEDIA JUSTICE
Oct. 22, 2009
Main Street Project joins coalition urging FCC to ensure affordable and accessible services and devices in mobile wireless markets
Landmark document notes that mobile devices have surpassed the Internet as the most important way to communicate in rural and urban low-income, immigrant, and minority communities

EVENT
Oct. 17, 2009
Main Street Project hosts Minnesota MAG-Net (Media Action Grassroots Network) gathering
Watch Twin Cities Community Voice Mail, Organizing Apprenticeship Project, PEPP (People Escaping Poverty Project) and MN Center for Neighborhood Organizing talk about Media Justice and the right tools to achieve it

EVENT
Oct. 10-13, 2009
Community Food Security Coalition to hold 15th annual conference in Des Moines, IA: From Commodity to Community - Food Politics and Projects in the Heartland
Rural Enterprise Center Director, Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, will participate in Tuesday's plenary panel session

IN THE NEWS
Sept. 29, 2009
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin named 'Uncommon Commoner" by On The Commons
His work with small farmer co-op is cited as a shining example of “commons-based development" for community good

EVENT
Sept. 30, 2009
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin to speak at Minneapolis Caux Round Table Conference: Together at the Table: Ethics in Food and Health Systems
Rural Enterprise Center Director will be part of a panel addressing connections between food and health issues

IN THE NEWS
Sept. 29, 2009
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin named 'Uncommon Commoner" by On The Commons
His work with small farmer co-op is cited as a shining example of “commons-based development" for community good

MEDIA JUSTICE UPDATE
Sept. 22, 2009
Media and Democracy Coalition releases Public Interest Internet Agenda
Report urges federal policymakers to work towards solutions that benefit diverse communities, including rural places; Main Street Project one of core groups involved in process

2010 CENSUS UPDATE
Sept. 21, 2009
El Fondo de Nuestra Comunidad (a fund of SpectrumTrust of the St. Paul Foundation) and Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF) announce funding support for Main Street Project's 2010 Census community work
Projects include a multi-language community census guide, training, and outreach events with communities of color

EVENT
August 26-29, 2009
2009 National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture (NAMAC) Conference to cross-pollinate ideas on media art, culture and policy
Amalia Deloney and Main Street Project's Steven Renderos are among presenters

MEDIA RELEASE
August 20, 2009
Innovative Free-Range Poultry Operation Launches in Cannon Falls
Media is invited to tour Prink's Farm on Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m.

IN THE NEWS
August 19, 2009
USDA Broadband Report Shows Urban/Rural Digital Divide Remain Wide
Study says 55% of U.S. adults had access in '07 but just 4% in rural households (John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable)

IN THE NEWS
Aug. 17, 2009
Media and Democracy Coalition profiles Steven Renderos in their latest newsletter
Main Street Project is a coalition member

NEWSLETTER
August 11, 2009
Updates on funding, staffing, Rural Enterprise Center and media justice efforts

EVENT
August 10-11, 2009
Midwest Rural Assembly to address rural policy priorities
Main Street Project will lead panel discussion on rural broad band opportunities

PRESS RELEASE
July 27, 2009
Main Street Project announces staff changes
Welcome to Steven Renderos, Main Street Project Media Justice Organizer; Amalia Deloney joins Center for Media Justice as MAG-Net Coordinator

IN THE NEWS
July 27, 2009
Regi Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Director, interviewed on American Public Radio's "The Story"
In "The Fight to Farm" he describes growing up farming in Guatemala and challenges faced as a Latino farmer

EVENT
July 16-19, 2009
Amalia Deloney and Steven Renderos to present at the 11th Annual Allied Media Conference
Detroit gathering will offer "a laboratory of media-based solutions" to the world's problems

EVENT
July 15-17, 2009
Connect with Main Street Project and the League of Rural Voters at the National Civic Summit in Minneapolis

MEDIA JUSTICE
July 7, 2009
New Justice 2.0 initiative site launches
Digital Promotores can link to PlaceStories, blogs, photos and more from Justice 2.0 trainings

MEDIA JUSTICE
July 7, 2009
Headwaters Foundation for Justice awards Social Change Fund grant to Main Street Project
Funds will support our new Justice 2.0 initiative

NEW PROJECT
June 30, 2009
Main Street Project gears up to support 2010 Census participation
Will reach out to organizations and rural residents, regardless of status


DTV FOLLOW-UP
June 24, 2009
More than 500 people attended the June 12 "Goodbye to Analog" event at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis
Watch the video created by Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF)


IN THE NEWS
June 13, 2009
Changeover to Digital TV Off to a Smooth Start -- New York Times
But challenges for low-income and non-English speakers are acknowledged at Minneapolis event


EVENT
June 12, 2009
Final DTV transition event at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis
Take home a no-cost converter box with a government coupon; Get help in English, Hmong, Lao, Spanish and Somali

BROADBAND POLICY UPDATE
June 8, 2009
Rural Broadband Policy Group submits recommendations to FCC for the National Broadband Plan for Our Future
Main Street Project and other group members reinforce the need to ensure that rural needs are met

ACTION ALERT
June 8, 2009
It's almost here: All TV stations go digital on June 12
Find out how you can help make the DTV Transition work for everyone

IN THE NEWS
June 1, 2009
Digital TV switch: At-risk groups seem better prepared -- Dan Emerson, Special to Finance and Commerce
Main Street Project helped nearly 8,900 people in the Twin Cities get coupons and converter boxes

IN THE NEWS
May 6, 2009
Digital Justice for All: End of analog TV exposes digital divide
Amalia Deloney's article published in Extra!, the award-winning online magazine from FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting)

NEWSLETTER
May 4, 2009
Rural Media Justice work is focused on communications rights
Socially responsible DTV transition; Rural broadband policy recommendations; Justice 2.0 trainings


BROADBAND POLICY UPDATE
April 23, 2009
Main Street Project publishes "Broadband Policy: Making it work for everyone"
Straight-forward overview of key principles can help guide discussions on how to address broadband and communications challenges and opportunities.

EVENT RESCHEDULED
May 9, 2009
Common Threads Project: Community Kick-off Meeting
All Fargo-Moorhead area residents are invited to the first meeting of a program to help people participate more fully in community life.

EVENT
April 18, 2009
DTV Day of Action helped Minneapolis residents get ready for DTV
More than 120 people came to multi-language event at Midtown Global market to get no-cost converter boxes; part of nationwide campaign for a socially responsible transition



BROADBAND POLICY UPDATE
April 13, 2009
Rural Internet and Broadband Policy Group submits comments to NTIA
Main Street Project urges investment to meet needs of marginalized rural communities

PRESS RELEASE
March 27, 2009
Rural Broadband Policy Group files FCC comments
Main Street project joins call for recommendations based on core principles

WHITE PAPER
March 20, 2009
Rural Internet and Broadband Policy Group releases principles and policy recommendations
Main Street Project's Amalia Deloney is part of group working to spark national collaboration among rural broadband advocates

EVENT (Rescheduled for May 9, 2009)
March 21, 2009
Common Threads Project: Community Kick-off Meeting
All Fargo-Moorhead area residents are invited to the first meeting of a program to help people participate more fully in community life.

DTV UPDATE
March 19, 2009
Donate your unused converter box coupon to DonateDTV.com
Each coupon purchases one DTV converter box for someone who needs transition assistance

NEWSLETTER
March 18, 2009
Rural Enterprise Center: An update on the Agripreneur Training Model
Free-range poultry operation expands; community gardens grow; business training focuses on restaurant management

DTV UPDATE
March 17, 2009
DTV Transition: Why rural isn't ready yet
Fact sheet describes rural challenges and recommended solutions


IN THE NEWS 
Feb. 20, 2009
Digital TV for All? Not so Fast -- IPS -- Elizabeth Ann Peer
Amalia Deloney from Main Street Project says "It's a communication rights issue."


DTV UPDATE
Feb. 18, 2009
No-Cost Converter Box Option Now Available With Coupon
Order online, pick up at store or watch for upcoming DTV event


DTV UPDATES
Feb. 12, 2009
Many TV stations will switch to digital service on Feb. 17 or earlier

How-to video on making a low-cost DTV shoebox antenna
If you get a DTV converter box, you may still need a new antenna; Video by Duke Schempp from People Escaping Poverty Project (PEPP), our community partner in Moorhead, MN

 

Share your extra converter coupons through Retrevo exchange program
Got an extra coupon? Need a coupon? Know someone who does?

Visit our DTV page for more updates


NEWSLETTER
Feb. 9, 2009
Main Street Project 2009: Time for Hands-On Hope
A preview of work we feel hopeful about (with a nod back to 2008)


IN THE NEWS
Jan. 28, 2009
Digitally fearful? You've won a reprieve -- StarTribune
Congress is likely to give a break to nearly 6.5 million household that still aren't ready for digital TV; Main Street Project cited as a resource


MEDIA RELEASE
January 14, 2009
DTV Assistance Centers Open for Twin Cities Residents
Main Street Project to focus on bilingual trainings for community groups.