Background

The history of our organization can be traced back to late 1997.  In August 1997 the W.K. Kellogg Foundation announced the MIRA initiative.  Community clusters from 10 community groups across central and southwestern Iowa applied for, and received, funding under the MIRA initiative.  

As recipients of the MIRA funds, members planned, conducted, and participated in a series of themed workshops.  These workshops included members from each cluster group (sometimes including more than 120 participants).  Groups such as Simpson College and Warren County Economic Development Corporation worked with us to make these events a major success.

Topics for these workshops were meant to provide the participants with knowledge and skills needed to move their communities forward in the area of information technology.

MIRA Workshop Topics

Even though the original MIRA participants did not qualify for additional funding for a community project, the group persisted.  After the completing the MIRA grant in mid-1999, the group began to look at the technology needs of the Indianola area.   The knowledge and skills provided by the MIRA workshops have proven to be tremendous assets to the groups on-going efforts.

What Now?

In terms of technology opportunities, Indianola is an exciting place to be.  This community is currently working on two significant technology-related projects.  The first is Indianola's broad-band communications network.  Indianola Municipal Utilities is installing a "fiber-optics loop" throughout the community.  This fiber-optics loop connects key government, business, and utility locations.  A second development is the soon-to-open Indianola Community Center.  Plans for this wonderful new facility include space for a computer facility.  The CITA Project hopes to be instrumental in developing these community resources.

In addition to these projects, Project CITA hopes to build the technology knowledge base of our community.  Technology isn't just computers.  Technology includes networks, telecommunications devices, wireless communications, and devices yet to be invented.  Project CITA members plan to become our community's information resource for technology issues.

Our community has substantial hidden resources.  Our group plans to make the best use of these existing resources while actively seeking additional funding.  Additional funds will be invested in improved technology and community training efforts.