21st Century offers model for the future

Pay attention, America. Look at what 21st Century Systems Inc. is doing in McCook, Nebraska. It could -- and should -- be a model for how technological business is done across this nation in years to come.

The lesson -- which is just starting to emerge -- is that software development, and other computer-driven business applications, can happen anywhere, even in a town of 8,000 population in the middle of America.

The reason is instant communication. Thanks to the Internet, people in small towns are now just as able as those living in large cities to create intelligent, cutting edge communication tools.

The truth of this is being shown by 21st Century Systems, which develops software applications for the military. The founder of the company, Dr. Alexander D. Stoyen, is putting into practice the vision of U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, who envisioned a "Silicon Prairie" when he was Nebraska's governor.

When Nelson suggested to Jeffrey Hicks, vice president of 21st Century, that the company consider an advanced technology office in McCook, the software firm quickly responded.

A call was made to the mayor, Jerda Garey, who put 21st Century in touch with the McCook Economic Development board. With the cooperation of the college, the efforts of the EDC and the assistance of Sen. Nelson, a defense appropriation was received and the office in McCook was established.

At this point, the office is small, with 10 computer work stations packed into a second floor board room in Walsh-Brady Hall at McCook Community College. But, even in this early stage, the implications are huge. Consider, for a moment, what would happen if a growing number of internet-driven companies were to center activities in small towns.

For one thing, just consider the great savings of time for city commuters. Greg Wolford, president of the McCook Economic Development board, gave an excellent example of this at Monday's opening ceremonies for 21st Century Systems. As he pointed out, an hour's driving each way in city traffic every work day adds up to ten hours a week. "That's 40 hours -- equal to a work week -- each month," Wolford said.

As we've been aware for years, cities are too big and too congested for the freedom and fulfillment we enjoy in America's hometowns. But now, through the example of 21st Century's office in McCook, there is hope that jobs -- and the people to fill them -- can return to the small towns of rural America.