Madelia Area: A Certified Smart Rural Community

Yes, it’s official. The Madelia Area is a certified Smart Rural Community.

The National Telecommunications Alliance (NTCA) is The Rural Broadband Association. The website states, “NTCA helps members build and deliver broadband connectivity and operate essential services in rural and small-town communities across the U.S.”

Fiber Broadband is “.. the infrastructure challenge of this generation. … In 2024, you can’t fully participate in your life, you’re not going to be able to do school, you’re not going to be able to get your healthcare right. You’re not going to be able to have the same economic opportunities if you don’t have rural broadband. That is not just the future. That is the present.” - Senator Amy Klobuchar.

NTCA created the federally recognized Smart Rural Community (SRC) network and certification. Internet service providers partner with NTCA which upgrades the internet provider’s connection to broadband to strengthen digital connections within and outside the community. This partnership is the certification.  

The Madelia Area & SRC

The Madelia Area Redevelopment Corp (MARC) actively promotes the growth of the Madelia Area, which includes La Salle, Lewisville, and Madelia. Much of the promotion is through strategic marketing. Being SRC certified will surely boost MARC’s outreach and, in turn, growth.

By achieving SRC certification, the Madelia area demonstrates its ongoing commitment to using technology to bridge the digital divide and create more opportunities for current and future residents. Other benefits include:

• Enhanced education with online learning resources, remote tutoring, and virtual learning.
• Better healthcare with telemedicine services, access to medical records, and remote patient monitoring.
• Additional media outlets with access to streaming services (TV, movies, radio, podcasts).
• Attract new businesses to the area for economic growth.
• Facilitate remote tele-working.
• Create new jobs in the digital economy.
• Support agriculture with enhanced data analysis and precise agriculture.
• Faster emergency responses with improved communication between first responders and dispatch centers.
• Reduces crime with surveillance systems and data analysis for crime patterns. 
• Effective and quick emergency communication.
• Data management - no more handwritten receipts, invoices, records, faxes, etc.

The Madelia area is a tight-knit community that supports each other like a village. Being SRC certified brings new residents and businesses into the community. New residents increase neighborly bonds and new businesses add more workforce options. MARC is proud of the Madelia area for achieving this certification. 

Consider The Madelia Area

The Madelia area is a telecommuter-forward location with space for telehealth, telecommuting, tele-ag, agriculture, and retail industries. With land for development, Main Street space for lease, and a healthcare hub, the Madelia area is perfect for an entrepreneur or a mid-sized business looking to relocate or expand. Contact MARC for more information. A conversation today could be the beginning of your tomorrow.