Itasca Technology Exchange

Itasca Technology Exchange was started in 1999 with a venture capital model and is a for-profit subsidiary of Itasca Development Corporation and the State of Minnesota through an initial investment by the Iron Range Resources Do IT! initiative. While housing already established technology-based businesses, the Exchange is an incubator for start-up technology businesses to grow and expand. The Exchange provides an ideal setting for technology-based businesses and offers the fastest internet connection and large bandwidth in the area. Itasca Technology Exchange connects technology companies with high-speed DS-3 bandwidth, capital investment, office facilities, and business services. Although continuing as a technology business incubator, the Exchange has recently developed more of a network focus.

The Exchange Data Center provides network services and collocation cabinets for tenants and customers to store their critical systems. The Center also has redundant infrastructure, back-up power, secure access and environmental controls providing tenants a secure and reliable site to locate their critical systems.

In late 2002, the Exchange began a partnership with Itasca Community College to develop a state-of-the-art multi-use computer lab and conference center. Through this partnership, the business development focus of the Exchange merged with the customized training and educational expertise of Itasca Community College .

With its own technology-based economic development focus, the Exchange was an obvious location for the Grand Rapids area TechNorth Prep Center (TPC). Together, the two have enhanced the community’s ability to provide specialized training and support to technology businesses. The TPC provides an advantage to the Exchange, as a business development center, in the expansion of resources, and the benefits of a regional approach to recruitment and workforce development.

The Exchange’s mission is to diversify the area’s economy through the development of technology businesses.

Itasca Technology Exchange is located in the central business district of Grand Rapids. More info rmation is available at www.itascatech.com or 218.326.5828.