Tech Center

Ely Tech Center 102 East Sheridan Street Ely, MN 55731 To rent space or for more information: 218-365-3012 For information on Technology courses: Call Gloria Bowen 218-235-2163 Hours: 8 - 4:30 M-Th 8-2:30 F

The Ely Economic and Technology Center provides business services for community members and visitors including:

• Internet access: Services geared toward business travelers who need a "branch office" while visiting Ely. For private use, Ely has several internet cafes.
• I-TV/Video conferencing: $25 connection fee and a $20 per hour room rental fee. The hourly rate for use varies based on the status of the use (i.e. nonprofit, school use, personal or business use). The rates also depend on the location of the conference connection.
• Interactive television
• Conference Room Rental: $20 per hour or $60 for half day (8 a.m. - Noon or 1 p.m. - 5 p.m). The conference room has two telephone lines, ethernet connections, one desktop computer and can accommodate up to ten people.

  Conference Room facilities

  Training facilities

• Training/Meeting Room Rental: $30/hr. as a meeting room or $60/hr. with full use of facility equipment (half day and full day rates also available). Facility equipment includes an LCD projector, VCR, TV monitor, white board, laptops with wireless internet connectivity. The training room can accommodate 15 students and eight laptops are available.
• Office Space Rental:: The following services are included in the rental fee to assist your business needs:
  • Photocopying - 20 cents per copy with a limit of 20 copies. Larger copy jobs can be done by the Ely Echo or Roger’s Printing.
  • Printing from the computer
  • Fax - For long distance a calling card is needed to send a fax. To send or receive a fax, the charge is $1 per page.
  • Telephone - We have a courtesy phones in the conference room and in the kiosk area. You will need to use your calling card to make a long distance call.
• On-site Computer Rental: $10 per hour for laptop computers (Internet access is free with computer rental. Laptop computers must remain inside the Technology Center.) Software includes:
  • Microsoft XP Professional operating system
  • MS Offi ce 2003 - this includes Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Publisher
  • Photoshop Elements
  • Dreamweaver
  • McAfee virus protection
  • MS Explorer web browser
• Computer Training: VCC Custom Training is focused on the life-long learning needs of your business in order to help you stay competitive in a changing world. Our programs are specifically tailored to your workforce needs and flexible in their delivery method. To discuss your training needs and ideas, or to create a custom course for you and your employees, contact Jeff Nelson at (218) 365-3385.
  • Microsoft Word, Excel, Access
  • Web Development
  • Digital Imaging (Photoshop)
  • Business finance (Quickbooks)
• Business Consultation/Development/Improvement:
  • Business Coaching
  • Quality Assurance
  • Enterpreneurial Skills
  • Financial Management
  • Process Improvement
  • Customer Service
  • Team Building
• Facilitation services to technology related businesses interested in relocating to the area

Tech Center Network

As a result of a US Department of Labor grant initiated by the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone to develop a network of training and work centers across the region, the TechNorth Prep Center (TPC) Network was founded to serve each of the college communities in the Northeast District. The communities of Ely, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, International Falls, and Virginia are served by True North, a regional economic development strategy of the Northeast Minnesota Higher Education District, who manages the fund.

The goal of the network is to find people who have the aptitude and interest in technology careers, help them prepare for those careers, and finally match them to the businesses that need their skills.

Along with the partnership of True North and the TPC Network, the Center is a local partnership between Vermilion Community College and the Ely Area Development Association.

Tech and EADA Offices in the Queen City Federal Building on Sheridan Street

These combined resources unite to attract business to the area, to promote technology, and to help the community use and understand why technology is so important to the future of the area's economy and standard of living.

The center, which opened the doors of its Sheridan Street location in January 2005, houses the staff of VCC's Customized Training, the EADA offices, and True North and TPC Network consultant, Sharee Johnson.

Thanks to a partnership with Iron Range Resources "Do-IT" initiative, the center's technology infrastructure is supported by DS-3, the highest speed broadband available to the community. The center utilizes wireless technology to enable individuals to bring in their own notebook computers to use in the available office space.

Vision and goals

The vision for the center revolves around four primary goals:

• Increase Ely and surrounding communities' access and experience with technology-supported enterprise through an active partnership between the economic development association and an institution of higher learning.
• Attract technology related business to the area and utilize the center for incubation of small- and medium-sized technology businesses.
• Assist local businesses by providing training and information technology support and services to build businesses and expand technology capacity.
• Provide access to technological tools that support economic and community growth.

Hours for the Center are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 Friday. Please call 218-365-3012 to reserve space or discuss how your business may be served, or 218-235-2163 to take a class.