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About PTLC What is Prairie Tech?
Prairie Tech Learning Center is an initiative of The Western Illinois Economic Development Partnership (WIEDP), in conjunction with the Henderson-Mercer-Warren University of Illinois Extension Unit. An advisory board representing business, technology and educational sectors has been established to provide additional community input and guidance to the center director.
Our History
The idea for the creation of a Community Technology Center (CTC) developed in talks between Patton Block Owner, Paul Schuytema and then alderman Robin Johnson and Mayor Shawn Gillen in 2000.
The CTC concept was clarified through a technology development plan created in 2003 by Warren County residents in collaboration with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. The CTC project has broad regional support and has attracted several important partners including New Horizons Computer Learning Centers - Peoria, The Henderson-Mercer-Warren Regional Office of Education, The Henderson-Mercer-Warren University of Illinois Extension Unit and the State of Illinois Entrepreneurship Network.
The CTC is a demonstrated example of public-private partnerships with funding support from several entities, such as the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Monsanto Fund, the City of Monmouth, Paul Schuytema, the Moline Foundation, Frontier Communications, and the Mellinger Foundation.
The CTC with a new name of Prairie Tech Learning Center opened in May of 2006 and hosted more than 100 guests for the grand opening and open house. Since opening Prairie Tech has offered seminars, basic computer classes in English and Spanish, and worked with partners to bring teacher training and other events to Prairie Tech.
For more information:
Related file: monmouth_tech_masterplan.pdf
Mission Statement
The mission of Prairie Tech Learning Center is to provide regional community members and businesses with access to technology training and information in a professional learning environment.
For more information:
Related file: five_pillars_of_ptlc.pdf
Director: Linda Lee Blaine
Linda Lee Blaine, originally from Washington State, holds an undergraduate degree in Spanish from Central Washington University and also graduated from the William O'Douglas Honors College. After college, Blaine taught English in Kyrgyzstan with the Peace Corps for two years. On returning to the United States, Blaine was accepted into the Peace Corps Fellows Program in Community Development at Western Illinois University where she completed a Masters of Business Administration in 2004. As part of her degree, Linda Lee served an 11- month internship in Monmouth working on several economic and community development projects including planning and grant writing for the development of Prairie Tech Learning Center. Blaine continued on working with the Western Illinois Economic Development Partnership after her internship and was hired as Director for Prairie Tech Learning Center in October of 2005.
Assistant Director
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