Little Falls

The project that led to the National Model of the Information Age

LOCAL ENGAGEMENT, ESTABLISHED VISION, SUPPORT FAILURE

How it all began…

A local news program about a controversial school bond effort in Little Falls, MN caught TCR’s attention. We reached out and were invited to address the community. It turned out that there were two competing perspectives. One supported the bond in order to get their kids educated and ready for college; they probably would not return. The second group was against the bond so that the kids would not leave, join the local workforce and stay in Little Falls. Although the CommTech vision was killed by a silo, TCR continued the evolution of what had been learned and ultimately created the Information Age Community concept.

It is a sad commentary when the government blocks innovation that is so fully embraced by a community

Jeremy Rifkin

Jeremy Rifkin discusses the Community Sector’s role in society

Col Elwyn Kropuenske

Col Elwyn Kropuenske, commander of Fort Ripley, speaks to the potential of TC’s concept

John Sanger

John Sanger, President of TCR speaks about the Little Falls CommTech effort

Kerry Jacobson

Kerry Jacobson, Superintendent of Little Falls Schools, speaks to the need for rural community viability

Tim Houle

Tim Houle, Morrison County Coordinator speaks to the need for technology and local development.

TCR was proud to support Little Falls with the very engaged CommTech Board of Directors

Two Years of Community Engagement

TCR developed and conducted a variety of assessment tools to determine the community’s technologic status, and their desire for various telecommuting applications, etc.   To secure additional funding, CommTech went to the Minnesota Legislature. The request was vetoed by the Dept of Admin because the government systems were required to engage with the CommTech TeleCenter to achieve fiscal success. The agency refused to collaborate with CommTech and the citizens of Little Falls.

The project was lost, several leaders left the city but the project was a great learning experience and ultimately led to the development of the Information Age Community concept. 

TCR designed the pilot TeleCenter and arranged 50% private funding; the Lion’s club agreed to build the TeleCenter facility.