Computers & Network Services
| Q Tech |
| Taylor Electronics, LLC |
| Pratt Telecommunity Center, Inc. |
Internet Service Providers
| Amberwave |
| Pratt Community College |
| Pratt USA |
| South Central Communications |
Interactive Videoconferencing
| Pratt Community College |
| Pratt Regional Medical Center |
| Pratt Telecommunity Center, Inc. |
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Pratt has worked hard over the last several years to develop and implement an economic development strategy that was based on making a commitment to technology. This strategy has successfully played out. Pratt, Kansas, a community of 7,000 people, can now boast a technology commitment that rivals any other community in the state. This commitment has been demonstrated not only in technology but in the support environment that surrounds the use of this technology, including buildings, technical expertise, educational programs, and a consumer focus. The technology remaking of Pratt was a multifaceted effort. It required investments by existing organizations, such as Pratt Regional Medical Center, Stanion Wholesale Electric and Pratt Community College. To accomplish our strategy, it was also necessary to prove that the community could attract much of this new infrastructure from outside the community. Companies and entrepreneurs from New Jersey, Colorado, Wichita, and Great Bend have added to our technology capabilities. Integral to this greater technology emphasis has been the ongoing availability and use of telecommunications acquired through Southwestern Bell, including T1's, switched 56 and ISDN.
Creation of a Technology Infrastructure and Attitude
Since January 1997 our economic development strategy has had a wide community focus. Our capabilities as a "connected community" have grown substantially. Pratt can now boast a variety of technology assets and successes.
1. Four interactive videoconferencing distance education rooms located at Pratt Community College, Pratt Telecommunity Center and Pratt Business and Conference Center that are used for college classes, classes taught by other Kansas universities, church programs, administrative meetings, lawyers to complete depositions, judicial meetings, meetings with state and national congressional representatives, family reunions, and interviews of prospective employees.
2. Telemedicine and telehealth applications at Pratt Regional Medical Center using interactive videoconferencing for distant medical consultations and continuing education. Additional telehealth telecommunications to other hospitals and clinics in Kinsley and Coldwater that provided previously unavailable information technology support.
3. Satellite based videoconferencing facilities at Pratt Community College, Pratt Telecommunity Center and Pratt Regional Medical Center that is used by educators and health professionals, but is also used by many in our region including, lawyers, accountants, social services, hospice volunteers, and federal and state agencies, for educational programs, legislative updates, and federal programs.
4. Four local Internet Service Providers, including Amberwave, PrattUSA, Southcentral Communications and Pratt Community College. As a result of competitive pricing, a focus on support, educational programs, and constant discussion of the Internet in many forums and applications, each of these Internet Service Providers have seen substantial growth and are all investing in technology and telecommunication upgrades to serve these users.
5. Southern Education Council, a 35 seat outbound call center, that employs approximately 100 individuals from throughout the region. Southern Education Council's arrival in Pratt demonstrated successful action by the City of Pratt, Pratt Area Economic Development Corporation, Pratt Area Chamber of Commerce, and many local businesses and individuals.
6. Community access to computers, Internet, printing and advanced technologies, such as scanning, imaging and multimedia production, at the Pratt Community Library and the Pratt Telecommunity Center.
7. A retail focus on computer technology, computer support and local and wide area networking development by Taylor Electronics and Quality Tech that has created a pricing structure and support environment that rivals nearby Wichita and is competitive with even many of the mail order computer retailers.
8. A commitment to technology education and retooling by Pratt Community College and Pratt Telecommunity Center. Individuals throughout the region are now participating in a variety of technology educational sessions, including Computers 101, Hands-On 101, Windows 95/98, Beginning Internet, Internet Searching, Electronic Commerce, WordPerfect, Word, Excel, QuatroPro, Access, Paradox, Computer Graphics, Web Design, HTML, and multimedia. Classes are attended by employees of banks, private businesses, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, city, county, along with many other individuals.
9. Office and conference facilities at Pratt Community College, Municipal Building, Pratt Telecommunity Center and Pratt Business and Conference Center that have used technology for conferences and meetings. Additionally, the Pratt Business and Conference Center is just now leasing office space to small and medium sized businesses in the remodeled 10,000 square foot area of a former department store. These same businesses have immediate access to computers, printers, scanning, imaging, Internet, interactive and satellite videoconferencing, along with conference rooms.
10. Ambitious use of the Internet to communicate the many interesting activities happening in Pratt and the surrounding area. The Pratt community page has been used by the Pratt Telecommunity Center to encourage interest in the Internet, actively describe events before, during and after the event, and provide an advertising medium for local businesses and to attract dollars to the Pratt area.
Since April 1997 the Internet has been used to include people in the sights and sounds of the 1997 Miss Kansas Pageant (the first time a state pageant was held on the Internet), 1997 Pratt County Fair (the first county fair in Kansas and only the third in the nation to use the Internet), 1998 Miss Kansas Pageant (now a year long event), 1998 Pratt County Fair, 1998 AA American Legion State Tournament and the 1998 Kansas Sampler Festival. Each of these events has grown in size on the Internet. Events include interviews, newspaper articles, photos during the event, and music. Community involvement has also grown. Each event has been a collaborative affair including the Miss Kansas Pageant, Pratt County Extension, Goodstar Broadcasting, Pratt Tribune, Kansas Sampler Festival, Pratt Tourism Committee, along with other local businesses.
The Pratt community page on the Internet is constantly updated with new activities. As businesses and individuals create web sites they're placed on the front page and in the business and personal directory. To encourage businesses and individuals to consider the Internet, the Pratt Telecommunity Center places business and personal profiles on the community page at no cost to the participants.
11. In November of 1997 Pratt was the host of the Telepower ‘97 Conference. While the purpose of the conference was to discuss telecommunications and technology, it proved to be another example of the growth of technology in the community and the collaboration that was necessary to support the conference.
Financing the Creation of the Technology Infrastructure
Funding an effort to create a technology focus has always proven to be a stumbling block. In Pratt it has been accomplished through a combination of pursuits. Pratt Community College and Pratt Regional Medical Center have proven to be successful in many federal and state grant efforts. The City of Pratt, Pratt Area Economic Development Corporation, and the County of Pratt were able to put together an attractive incentive package to attract Southern Education Council. The Pratt Telecommunity Center, Amberwave, PrattUSA, Quality Tech and Pratt Business and Conference Center were funded through private local and outside investments.
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