Thanks to John Shepard for sending me an article from the Cottonwood County Citizen on one of Windom’s MIRC (Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities) projects. Windom has used part of their funding to put laptops in 13 vehicles used by police, fire and EMTs and a two-year wireless Internet subscription.

The entire project budget was $54,400. MIRC funding covered half of the cost. The balance came from the City and County – either in cash or in kind.

They know the computers will be used to download Google maps of a location before responding, they will be able to get more info on topics such as hazardous materials when necessary and they’ll be able to do paperwork on the scene rather than taking time later to fill out reports. They expect that more uses will emerge as they start using the laptops.