Full Speed Ahead

In the year 2000, through the Blandin Community Investment Partnership (BCIP) 180 people from across this rural area came together to talk. They were from all walks of life and had this in common: belief in each other and their communities.

They also had questions:

What needs to be done? How can we achieve our goals?

They had ambitious questions for an entire county to address. Since then they have answered them wholeheartedly and implemented carefully constructed plans to fulfill their dreams. “This is a wonderful place to live,” say Gary and Rita Stracek, volunteers for the BCIP project, “we wanted to invest in it.” Many others feel the same way.

Silicon Meadows

Alex Weego, Todd County Development Corp. Executive Director believes in the importance of technology and telecommunications as an economic development resource. “I wanted to do something for technology in our area because our agricultural economy was being decimated,” Alex says. “We see technology as one of the tools to increase economic development.”

An essential part of technological savvy is reliable Internet service providers. Todd County residents are pursuing opportunities to expand service to their entire area. A meeting attended by over 50 people featured local communications companies explaining the future of technology in the county. It was an informative and lively discussion that described the possibility of utilizing the water towers that dot the landscape as transmitters for Internet service. Infrastructure and time are needed in order to realize the dream of faster, more reliable service.

To make the dream a reality, Todd County applied for and received a Blandin Foundation Grant to increase housing and technology development. The grant will fund a technology project Todd County residents affectionately call “Silicon Meadows” which will help them develop an integrated community telecommunications network. As part of a visioning process, participants attended a workshop where they identified workforce issues, education and training as their top priorities.

Three major components are at the heart of the Silicon Meadows Network:

• an interactive mapping system
• a high quality hospital management software system
• e-commerce and e-business training

These would benefit local small businesses. “The telecommunication providers and users need to find out how to make investments in technology pay off as economic development,” says Bill Coleman, director of the Silicon Meadows project. He adds, “We’d like to see new businesses come to Todd County as a result of Silicon Meadows Network.”

A Human Web

While people work to develop a wireless Web, youth in the area are working to create a human web, one that supports young people. A core group of 12 meet monthly to develop ways to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs in their schools. In Browerville a group of 5 high school students attend BCIP project planning meetings and are actively involved in developing ways to address recreation needs for people under 21 years of age. One dance that was not very successful has not swayed their energy from coming up with new solutions to the problem “there’s nothing to do on Friday night in this town!”

Cabin Fever U

A Lifelong learning initiative has evolved into “Cabin Fever University,” a nod to the feelings of restlessness that prompt curiosity and growth. The plan for the “U” includes promoting free community education programs, as well as education programs across Todd County in order to serve as many people. One possibility for implementing this goal is a traveling computer lab. A van equipped with computers and Internet access would move through the county as a training tool. People enroll in a community education class that discusses “How to Take an Online Class,” and by completing this class they earn money toward an actual online class. Online classes open up a world of possibilities for business and personal development.

Farm Fresh

Whole Farm Co-op has the snacks to make any event a raging success (and healthy too!). Whole Farm Co-op is made up of unique farmers who use environmentally sound practices and believe in humane treatment of animals. They produce high quality foods that do not include growth hormones or pesticides.

BCIP has assisted them in developing a label for milk products, a marketing tool.

There are many people who would like to purchase this kind of natural food and want to know where exactly it is grown and by whom. The challenge is to find potential customers and alert them to the Whole Farm Co-op products. Currently the group distributes products through churches in the Twin Cities as well as small stores along the way. The co-op also has its own store in Long Prairie where different foods are featured weekly. There are open house events at this store for local people to learn about sustainable farming techniques.

Park Plans

The plans Todd County residents have developed for their future are inter-dependent. One goal cannot be pursued without effecting and supporting the next in this large-scale integration of resources. For example, Todd County is exploring the creation of a 1000-acre state park.

This would give both residents and visitors numerous recreational and educational possibilities. A park could promote tourism and encourage others to stop, notice the beauty of this area, and spend a bit of money in the process.

Visitors and residents alike could enjoy hiking, cross country skiing or even trail biking through scenic wooded trails. The creation of an interpretive center is also being examined as a way to provide educational nature programs for children and adults, while supporting the community’s commitment to lifelong learning, another aspect of Todd County’s community vision.

Giving Back

Lifelong learning, economic development, and recreational opportunities are the priorities Todd County residents have set and they are working hard to realize their dreams. A network of individuals and organizations have pooled resources and drawn from their own experiences to build a comprehensive plan. For Gary and Rita Stracek it started eight years ago when Gary was struck with a heart attack and needed a transplant. 1,500 friends and neighbors turned out for a benefit that helped the Stracek’s family tremendously. They haven’t forgotten the kindness and generosity shown during those difficult times.

“It’s about giving back to the community and pulling together,” says Rita. “It’s proven that if people talk and discuss and plan, it can be done.”

The BCIP planning process has brought out tremendous community assets that are often taken for granted. It is a low-crime area and people are happy to live in the fresh air. People have shown their willingness to devote time and ideas to a long and sometimes difficult process.

According to Gary, “BCIP has been instrumental in providing leadership training and organizational and conflict resolution skills” to the county. “Our people and their unbelievable talents are the biggest asset,” says Rita.