Summer technology intern works with Broken Bow  businesses and individuals

 

Broken Bow is one of the communities participating in year one of the NITC and Technology Across Nebraska's  IT Planning and Mini Grant program.  Read about how a summer intern helped implement their technology plan.

 

By Kerri Kempp

Custer County Chief managing editor

 

Broken Bow took a few steps closer to the technology age this summer.

 

Several area businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and the county all received help updating their computer technology from Mike Wrenholt.

 

Wrenholt was in town over the summer fulfilling an internship through the J.D. Edwards Honor Program, The University of Nebraska Rural Initiative and Congressman Osborne’s office.  The goal of the internship was to combine computer science and business management while promoting technology for economic growth in the Third District.  At the same time, it gives the students an opportunity to learn what life is like in the Third District.

 

Broken Bow was one of five communities that requested an intern, and Wrenholt said he chose to spend his summer here because the city had definite plans about where it wanted to go. 

 

One of the main priorities when he arrived in Mid-May was bringing DSL Internet service to the city.  Wrenholt did background research and developed a “plan of attack” to accomplish that.  He helped organize the recent meeting with the president of Qwest Nebraska, Rex Fisher.  Due to the large interest shown at that meeting, Broken Bow has moved from the top 10 cities to receive DSL to the top five.  But Wrenholt still has higher goals.

 

“I think we can do better.  I’d like to see it happen this year,” he said.

 

At the same time he was working on the DSL project, Wrenholt had several other projects in the works. 

 

He updated the Chamber of Commerce Web site, moving it to a new host to make it easier to maintain and revamped the look to make it more user friendly.   If the Chamber had attempted to do the work on its own, Wrenholt said first-year expenses would have been approximately $4,500.  Instead, the total bill came to $900 and that was covered by a grant received through Technologies Across Custer County. 

 

“The Chamber site is going to be a lot more interactive,” Wrenholt said.  Visitors will be able to sign the guest book, make comments and suggest ideas.

 

The Chamber’s new Web site was completed Wednesday and can be found at www.brokenbow-ne.com.

 

Wrenholt also spent time at the Custer County Courthouse updating its site. The Board of Supervisors’ minutes can now be found online, and the events calendar is more complete.  Contact information, which was about two years out of date, was also revamped, Wrenholt said.

 

Custer County Clerk Connie Gracey said Wrenholt instructed her on how to update the site more frequently, and she believes that will be beneficial.

 

“A lot of people get on there and get the agenda and the minutes of the board,” she commented. 

 

The county’s site can be found at www. co.custer.ne.us.

 

Individual businesses received Wrenholt’s help as well.

 

At Becton Dickinson, he worked on developing programs for the sterilization organization’s operation.  Doug Yates, BD programmer/analyst, said they used the short amount of time Wrenholt spent at the company on programming computers.

 

Sargent Pipe received aid in finding a new software solution to fit the needs of the business.

 

Lyn Wagner, special programs coordinator with Sargent Pipe, said the business is updating its accounting and inventory software.  Wrenholt helped develop the criteria the business needed and narrow down the software choices.

 

Wagner said they are still in the process of acquiring new software, but Wrenholt’s knowledge provided another perspective.

 

Ranchland Ford’s computers are now networked together, and Wrenholt brainstormed ideas for future upgrades at the Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center.

 

In addition, Wrenholt met with several cattlemen to discuss the country of origin labeling issue and how they could use technology to meet the requirements of that law.

 

“We just tried to establish a framework that can grow and expand in the future,” Wrenholt said of the work he did with the businesses and individuals.

 

Though Wrenholt finished his internship this week and is now headed back to college, he said he wants to stay involved with Broken Bow as it moves forward.   Residents can feel free to e-mail him with questions or just to say “hi,” he added.

 

Originally from Norfolk, Wrenholt is a biochemistry major and is planning on entering medical school after he receives his degree next spring.  He took part in the internship because he also enjoys computer technology and believes knowing about information technology will be useful in medicine.

The internship allowed him to learn about the finer details of developing a Web sit and about life in this area.

 

“I’ve developed a greater appreciation for life in western Nebraska,” he said. “I’ve had fun.”

 

Reprinted with permission from the Custer County Chief.