The proposed project reflects the consolidated efforts of the Childress County Planning Committee in developing a plan that would enable the implementation of the Childress Community Network.

The initial intent and purpose of this project was to bring about as a means in which to:

• Increase local knowledge about the availability and uses of information technology.
• Increase local planning and community involvement related to telecommunications infrastructure development.
• Increase collaboration among local entities using telecommunications technologies.
• Increase communication among different stakeholders within the community.
• To receive measurable community wide support for the plan.
• And proof that the activities contributed to and improved existing services for all county residents.

In laying down this set of expectations, we knew we had our work cut out for us. We met routinely on a regular scheduled basis whether we wanted to or not, hammering out what we should, could, and better not do. Most of us were beginners with a very minor understanding of what we could do and how useful a community network really was. We wanted to save money by collaborating on telecommunications costs, but we also wanted to provide the citizens of Childress County services and access as well. Developing this project wasn't easy, but we came together and stayed together because we all shared a mutual desire in that it was time to steer Childress County into the technology age, even if we had to do it one person at a time, starting with ourselves.

When funding was announced for a $250,000 non-competitive Community Network Grant (CN3) through the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund we put our plan on paper and applied for funding. We received the grant in July 2002 and today those grant funds have enabled us to establish a public training site at Fair Park Auditorium equipped with 10 laptop computers and provide training for those who volunteered to instruct basic technology classes for local residents at no cost within this facility. We also installed additional computers in the public library for training and improved public access. We created a web site, which serves as the community information portal. We established 6 public access sites consisting of one or two computers within each site to provide all citizens easy access to information and services accessible through the web portal or the Internet. These public access sites are located in the City Hall, County Courthouse, Airport, Chamber of Commerce, Fire Station, and the EDC. We also created a unified wireless network between collaborating partner sites to share resources, knowledge, and connectivity costs to ensure project sustainability.

The Childress Community Network planning members are an example of what a handful of dedicated community minded citizens can do when they combine their efforts for the betterment of their community neighbors. The original planning members included: