The Redwood Technology Council may well be the best example of a successful Tech Council in the United States. The work that the RTC is doing gives me hope that it is possible to develop, run, and sustain a regional tech council. Located in the Eureka/Arcata area of northern California, the RTC is trying to overcome rural isolation, create jobs, and get more fiber and broadband options into the region.
I had the privilege of giving some workshops at their annual Tech Expo, and while I was visiting I learned a lot about their activities. The RTC's most significant achievement was to break a permitting logjam that had prevented the phone company from bringing fiber to the region. The Tech Expo, a two day technology fair that showcases the products and services of local firms, attracts thousands, and is especially notable because they offer workshops and seminars to the public throughout the event. And it's practical, useful stuff, like how to use Photoshop, which was jammed. The number and variety of booths was terrific, and I found two vendors that had products I had never seen and am likely to buy.
In fact, the RTC is doing many of the things that community networks do, and the group is well-positioned to do much more. Most interesting of all was their clear focus on appropriate leadership. They cheerfully admitted it took them a little time to develop a board and group of volunteers that were truly dedicated to making the community better. This sounds simple, but a lot of good efforts get derailed by people who have hidden or not so hidden agendas. Knowing that happens and working to prevent it from killing the organization is a stellar example of true leadership. The Eureka region is fortunate to have the Redwood Technology Council.