g. Prairie Public/proj support - Laserfiche WebLink

This 60 minute broadcast program would feature experts who can reflect on North Dakota's past and where it's headed. Entrepreneurs, business people and young professionals will talk about their experiences and showcase ways rural communities can regain young residents. Prairie Public will make additional online business development information available for young people interested in starting their own business. In order to complete this program and conform to the new FCC mandated broadcast standards, Prairie Public will purchase a digital camera which can record video in the new 16:9 format, and upgrades to computer hardware and software in the non-linear editing stations in Bismarck and Fargo. 2) Tourism is the second largest economic industry in North Dakota and in 2003-2006, the state has an unparalleled opportunity to benefit from the country's interest in the Lewis and Clark Trail. As the state gears up for an influx of new visitors, North Dakota's Native American tribes are developing new attractions which appeal to the new breed of "heritage tourist" and will create ongoing interest in their culture and history. Prairie Public proposes to produce North To The Mandan Nation, a 30 minute documentary that explores how the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemoration is serving as an economic development building block for North Dakota's Native American tribes. To reach a wider audience, Prairie Public would produce a version of the broadcast program which will be streamed on the Internet and develop web-based viewer guides and companion materials which can be accessed online. This program would also be produced in 16:9 format and would also require the purchase of the digital camera mentioned above. Computer upgrades are also needed in the office to complete this project. 3) North Dakota farmers and ranchers need information to compete. Prairie Public will purchase the rights to air the Market to Market program produced by Iowa Public Television. Market to Market focuses on agricultural and rural issues important to rural North Dakotans. Prairie Public will also seek out other programs produced for farmers and ranchers. Who will be served? The two documentaries on building a new future will appeal to anyone living in rural North Dakota. It will be of general interest to all of Prairie Public's viewers. Building Our Future will be of wide interest to viewers throughout the state, as the out- migration of young people from the state is an issue of perennial interest. 3 January 13, 2003