So, what is a Telecommuting Center? One of the opportunities presented by the RTC is for rural communities to attract professionals from corporations in urban areas to live and work within their rural community. Since the early 1980's, as companies moved into the information age, many of the world's services and products became more heavily supported by professionals whose tasks included the creation and manipulation of data and the analysis of information. Most of these companies located in urban areas to attract the needed professional skills.
Most recently though urban communities have begun to face a variety of issues, including overcrowding, decaying infrastructure, increased demand for services, loss of environment, transportation problems, increases in crime, and apathy for the political and democratic process, that have offset the advantages to living in these urban centers. Many professionals are now seeking to leave these urban centers for the atmosphere enjoyed by rural communities and many of their employers recognize the value to remote work areas. The telecommuting center will allow these employers to encourage their professionals to move to these rural communities since adequate technology will be available to insure the professional's productivity and continued access. For the rural community this will mean greater economic viability through an increased tax base, greater use of local businesses, and available talents to enhance the educational opportunities for the community.