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The Internet connection for this broadcast failed 35 minutes into the show. We couldn't revive the feed. Kevin has agreed to come back at a later date to complete the interview. Be on the look out for Part 2 of our interview.\n With the increasing drive by communities to get better broadband networks in their areas, there is likewise a growing interest in creating cooperatives to move these projects forward. How do communities create co-ops that ensure the best interests of constituents and their partners are served?\n Kevin Larson, Gen. Manager of the Minnesota telephone co-op Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC), helps listeners understand the key elements of successful co-op business strategy. CTC is involved with several projects within the state.\n Questions addressed in this interview include:\n What are some successful building blocks if a community is considering starting a new co-op?\n How can existing telephone co-ops expand into, or increase the size of, broadband services Will the FCC\u2019s transition of the Universal Service Fund into the Connect America Fund benefit co-ops How will AT&T\u2019s move to abandon rural communities impact co-ops\u2019 ability to deliver services.\n This is the first of two broadcasts from the Blandin Foundation\u2019s \u201cMinnesota\u2019s Better with Broadband\u201d summit where Gigabit Nation host Craig Settles delivers the keynote presentation.