Community leaders (city name) have signed on to a countywide effort to have every city in Dakota County obtain "E-Commerce Ready" certification from the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development. Dakota County is seeking to be the first county within the state to receive such recognition.

The Dakota County Economic Development Partnership technology committee is coordinating the initiative. The chair of the committee is Tina Rankin, owner of Rankin & Associates, an IT learning Solutions Company in Apple Valley.

According to Rankin, This initiative will be valuable in helping to understand what we have to offer companies in terms of telecommunications infrastructure and services and where we have to improve." Taud Hoopingarner, Dakota County Operations Director sees the initiative as a "great way to promote Dakota County as a great location for technology businesses, both large and small."

The certification process requires that each community document the level and competitiveness of telecommunications services available to businesses and residents; review how local school districts are using technology to improve education; how local governments are using technology to improve community services; and inventory and how area businesses use technology. By working together, this information gathering process can be accomplished in a more efficient and effective way, eliminating duplicate efforts.

Initiative leaders want to help businesses who aspire to follow the lead of companies like Anderson Cargo Services in Eagan.

"We make extensive use of technology which enables us to effectively compete with larger companies in the shipping & logistics industry, " according to Angela Kohout, an Anderson Cargo Services account executive and member of the task force. "Moving our organization online has bought us a competitive advantage - 66% of our business is conducted online and we expect that to increase over the next few years."

Each community will have a select group of people dedicated to the advancement of the project. The project will also involve representatives from business, education, government and economic development.

The task force has set a demanding schedule for completion of the project. In February, focus groups and business surveys will be conducted. Countywide and community plans will be developed in March for submission to the state for approval and certification. "We will have to work at Internet speed to meet our schedule, but I know we can do it," says Rankin.

For More Information Contact:

Bill Coleman
Community Technology Advisors
651-426-7741
bill@communitytechnologyadvisors.com

*** To learn more about Anderson Cargo and/or how they might help your own company, you may reach them at: 1-800-423-5488 or contact them online at: marketing@andersoncargo.com