THE INFORMATION ECONOMY - A PATH NOT CONSIDERED

Now there is one possible path that I have known a long time might be developed. In fact I even suggested it to one of the periodic 'Future of Colorado Springs' forums. I guess I was (still am?) too far ahead of the mind sets of Colorado Springs.

There are a number of factors that might make it possible to develop a rather unique community based on the Economics of Information. A city where 'economic growth' is not just a consequence of 'physical growth' - driven by real estate developers and elected officials beholden to their political support.

The personal computer and Internet age makes it possible for INDIVIDUALS to provide 'knowledge work' or services for distant clients.Or they canactually produce 'intellectual' or 'cultural' products (digital art, computer programs, information 'services') exporting them via the net. Export knowledge, Import dollars.

This Model views every individual with a 'personal' computer and an Internet connection - wired, wireless, cable or telco - as a PRODUCER of wealth and value, not just a CONSUMER of other people's products (like television or DVD entertainment). One can be a 'writer' for pay or profit, or a researchers, living in Colorado Springs and offering one's work to distant markets.

Or its corrollary - providing KNOWLEDGE WORK SERVICES to remote places from here, but only via telecommunications. Such as Educational services by 'Distant Learning' techniques. There is no reason a teacher, from high school math or writing or history, to professorial teaching of physics or foreign languages cannot deliver classes to students half a world away, from Colorado Springs. Either for existing educational institutions, or ones created right here in Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springscouldbaseits economic Reputation,on being a center of Telecommunicated Wealth. Jobs, entrepeneurial opportunities, support systems (financial, business assistance and training, telecom services)

No one, least of all the 'economic leadership' of Colorado Springs has ever analyzed the potential for this sector.Or even measured how many locals do that now. The city has never tried to capitalize on several factors. Such as the synergistic effects of (1) the fact the Pikes Peak Region is a desirable place to live - including with its lower than big metro area cost of living. (2) In general higher educational level across this city. (3) There is a pretty good Telecommunications infrastructure in place - individuals from their homes can access the Net rather readily, even though the dominant telephone company, Qwest, is well behind the curve in offering true Broadband everywhere in the metro area.

Because I have long been ahead of the personal computer and communications curve operating out of my home and from my small Internet company (with wireless connectivity) I actually brought over $2 million into and through the town, working largely from my home-office, for the National Science Foundation and my Old Colorado City business location. Pioneering in early (pre Wi-Fi) wireless. And I did that after I was well retired from my first - military - career of 27 years.

And before that I taught, online, as far back as 1983, via the first 'dial up' national service - The Source - formal courses in "Electronic English' here and in Montana (teaching teachers).

The Information Age is just in its Infancy. There is no reason why Colorado Springs - with its already deserved reputation for being a 'nice place to live' could not be a Information City. Not in the making of devices, (Silicon Valley) but the use by Individuals of those devices, and now world-spanning cheap and instantaneous telecommunications. (I routinely discuss many topics by voice, text, and graphics, with Tsering Sherpa who lives and works at 15,000 feet on the Slopes of Mount Everest 12 hours and half a world away, both of us using 'Skype' Voice over IP (VOIP) from our personal computers at NO added cost to our already Internet connection. I helped him set up a way for a Sherpa in Pittsburgh who, of course, knew Nepalese as well as English and Tibetan, to 'teach' Sherpa kids ORAL ENGLISH via the Internet in Nepal)

Even building up a reputation for providing 'Virtual Educational' (and affordable) services for distant students could be done broadly in cooperation with some local educational institutions, such as UCCS, Phoenix University, Colorado Technical University. Or organizations and businesses could be created to facilitate such an economy, locally.

But it would require some visionary community leadership - which in my opinion is sadly lacking - hereabouts. The potential is there. But will Colorado Springs step forward and do and develop something no other city has yet? Or will it continue to be totally conventional in its economic pursuits - and try to compete with every other city that pursues the same dollars?

I predicted 25 years ago that the 'First Floors' in the 92 Old Colorado City commercial buildings would be traditional RETAIL. That the Second Floors would be "SERVICE" businesses - commodity brokers, travel agencies, lawyers, management firms. But that the THIRD FLOORS, metaphorically speaking, would be very small, otten one-person, high tech driven information workers.

That has taken place in the building I have occupied for the last 22 years - the Templeton Building at 2402 West Colorado Ave, where I provide - wired and wireless - Internet broadband service - to web designers, digital graphical designers, programmers. That could be enormously expanded across El Paso County.

Something to think about.