Like the interstate highway system and the railroad before that, the next infrastructure crucial to the growth of the area is a high-speed optical network.

Friday, May 18, 2001

Like the interstate highway system and the railroad before that, the next infrastructure crucial to the growth of the area is a high-speed optical network. But Albert Lea, like many other rural communities, is still trying to find a way to access the network, said Steven Ladwig, senior vice president for Imation Corp.

Ladwig was the keynote speaker Thursday at the Greater Jobs, Inc. annual meeting at Krystal’s restaurant at the Albert Lea County Club. He told Greater Jobs members that an optical network is the most important consideration in attracting high-tech companies to Albert Lea.

&uot;We’re now in the post-computer age. Having computing technology is assumed. The asset we need to be looking at is the ability to handle large amounts of information with very little turnaround time,&uot; Ladwig said. &uot;That’s what the optical network provides.&uot;

Ladwig said the city would have a much better chance at attracting solid companies with a high-speed network. Specifically, he suggested Greater Jobs pursue companies in information technology and biomedical technology to capitalize on the city’s proximity to Mayo Health Systems in Rochester and other fast-growing high-tech companies in the Twin Cities.

As a leader in the world of data storage and information management, Ladwig has worked as a consultant for many small tech companies, he said. With investors hard to find, Albert Lea’s proposed business incubator would be an attractive option if it was wired with the right technology, he said.

&uot;The environment has really gotten tough for young start-ups to secure venture capital. This might be the right time for an incubator in this community,&uot; Ladwig said. &uot;It’s a much more enticing offer now for a start-up than it was five or six years ago.&uot;

Ladwig told the Greater Jobs members to be selective about which companies to bring to the city. But only advanced technologies like an optical network would allow Albert Lea to be choosy, he said.

&uot;How much demand for a high-speed optical network can we aggregate? How much of the cost are we willing to underwrite?&uot; Ladwig asked.

With a fiber-optic cable already running through the city, and the cost of bandwidth falling dramatically, Ladwig said it wouldn’t be a &uot;gargantuan task&uot; to build an optical network. Other smaller cities such as Clear Lake and Lake Mills, both in northern Iowa, have already begun the process, building data storage centers and digital video conferencing facilities.

&uot;Not having a high-speed network in place will soon be akin to not having a railroad line in 1900s or not having an Interstate close by in the 1960s,&uot; Ladwig said. &uot;It’s even more important than bricks and mortar infrastructure.&uot;

Greater Jobs director Pam Bishop said having access to expertise like Ladwig’s is important for developing a technology plan for the city.

&uot;He has been a great resource for us, and he’s a believer in technology as part of our economic development future,&uot; Bishop said. &uot;I think his suggestions are crucial for us.&uot;

A graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, Ladwig is spearheading Imation’s initiative to become the leading independent storage solutions provider. Before joining Imation, he worked for 20 years as a manager and executive with IBM.