Leadership: Economic Development Through Information Technology

Author: Tom Ireland

March 2008

Wherever it has taken place, economic development has always required the use of a transportation system to facilitate trade. In our area this started out with paths through the forest and along rivers. These paths were eventually widened into wagon trails and improved to carry heavier wagons. For a few short years, the Erie canal system brought increased levels of commerce and corresponding economic development. Improved roads and railroads quickly replaced the canals and the economy of the region continued to improve. New roads on straighter paths called U.S. routes such as Route 40 eventually became paved and motorized cars and trucks began to stream coast to coast and brought the Miami Valley closer economically to the rest of the country. In the 20th century, land based transportation became augmented by the airplane and airports were built around the Miami Valley to assure that we could still be competitive in the world market. Interstates 70, 75 and 675 were carved through our region
and the flow of commerce was accelerated dramatically. By contrast those areas removed from these economic conduits did not prosper as much as those who could take full advantage of these transportation systems.

Now we are building new type of transportation system vital to economic development and the flow of commerce across our planet. Those municipalities and regions that are strongly enmeshed in the developing system of electronic commerce are prospering much more that those who are not. The Interstate highways and U.S. Routes form a backbone connected to the tendrils of state county and municipal roads leading to the doorsteps of homes and businesses. Those areas with the best physical infrastructure have traditionally been in a better economic position. It is the same with electronic commerce. Bandwidth and speed of information transport is a major conduit for economic development in this century. Interstate highways were built because it no longer made sense to pave cowpaths with asphalt. Gigabit backbones with gigabit access trunks to the front doors of businesses are now as essential to economic development as interstate highways and airports. Those regions without a robust electronic
infrastructure are doomed to the same fate as those abandoned motels along paved cowpaths.

Opportunity: We have electronic commerce resources in our region that are unused and that cost little to turn into robust economic development tools. During the April 16th Greater Dayton IT Alliance Luncheon Forum, more information will be presented on efforts to connect the community for economic development.

Tom Ireland is the Chief Technology Officer for the Miami Valley Communications Council which is a municipal communications and technology organization representing the eight member cities of Centerville, Germantown, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Springboro and West Carrollton. The council also has affiliate agreements with 18 other Miami Valley cities.