Summer 2003

Community technology centers are everywhere, or so it seems. But, sometimes our efforts to find each other, to interact, and to collaborate seem a bit haphazard. That’s why we created the CTC Map and Database.

When I began working on the Community Computer Access Network (C-CAN) project nearly two years ago, I could confidently name only a handful of CTCs in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Part of my responsibilities as an AmeriCorps*VISTA for C-CAN was to track these centers and find new ones. I am happy to report that there are now about 70 CTCs in our database.

The CTC Database and Map was the idea that started C-CAN and has been the foundation for all other C-CAN initiatives. When we hold networking meetings and conferences it is to place a person with the dots on the map. When we recruit and match volunteers, it is to bring volunteers to the dots that need them. When we have meetings at City Hall with the mayor and his staff, it is to advocate for all of the dots on the map. It's all about the dots.

C-CAN will continue to connect the dots. Resources have been secured to complete the data collection and CTC Map and Database for 2003, and to publish it in a printed directory. At this time, we are looking for donations of printing costs—if you have any good leads, contact us!