I’ve been following the news on different MIRC (Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities) partners – especially in the last year since many projects have been coming to fruition. PCs for People have captured the imagination of many community leaders – and have had great success going into a town, accepting donated computers, refurbishing them and leaving them for the community to donate to folks in need. They recently hit Austin with a successful push to get 75 computers to low-income families and seniors. The Austin Daily Herald reported on the story – offering a “prequel” to the story we’ve bene hearing all year…

PCs for People chose Austin as one of 10 greater-Minnesota communities to get 75 to 100 free computers since February 2012. But that isn’t the beginning. PCs for People has donated more than 14,000 computers since it started in 1998. With the help of local businesses such as Hormel, the Mayo Clinic and local electric co-op, PCs for People was able to convert used or damaged computers into, practical, usable gifts for those who need them.

“This is a win-win for businesses need to manage their end-of-lifecycle digital assets in a cost-effective way, and for the community,” said Casey Sorenson, executive director of PCs for People.”