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1974-75

Winneshiek Development Center (WDC) begins operations in the basement of Grace Episcopal Church, providing services to 13 clients. WDC then moves to the Carlson building south of Railroad Street with new enterprises including furniture finishing and sub-contracts to perform work for local businesses.

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1982

WDC opens a can redemption business for Winneshiek County.

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1984

Sheltered Work, Inc. opens its doors under the direction of Don Wurtzel of Decorah. Together with the Depot Outlet, it constructs a new building between Railroad Avenue and Railroad Street, where the Depot Outlet still operates.

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1986

WDC and Sheltered Work, Inc. merge to become Spectrum Industries.

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1990

New headquarters built at 105 Railroad Avenue.

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1993-1996

Recycling facilities begin operation in Cresco for Howard County, and in Freeport for Winneshiek County.

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1998

Adult Day Services (Day Habilitation) opens to offer weekday activities for clients, while providing respite to their caregivers.

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1999

Spectrum Industries transfers ownership of its can redemption business to four clients who found the Pearl Street Can Redemption Center.

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2001-2002

Woodworking program and venture with Featherlite, Inc. provide new opportunities for clients. Artworks Studio moves into the Pearl Street train depot building.

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2006

Spectrum Industries changes its name to The Spectrum Network, to reflect its vision of strengthening the “network” of support and community inclusion for clients. With this change, the organization opens the doors to its new headquarters at 607 Washington Street.

The ReCompute program is introduced to offer training opportunities for clients while providing a valuable electronics recycling service to the community.

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2007

Work crews (also called enclaves) begin providing on-the-job training for clients at local businesses.

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2009

With about 100 clients, The Spectrum Network continues to grow and expand its services even as it discontinues its recycling operations in Winneshiek and Howard Counties and discontinues operations of the Depot Outlet. (The Depot Outlet is a separate entity, unaffiliated with The Spectrum Network.)

The organization begins serving clients with mental illness and chemical dependency.

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2011

The Spectrum Network Wellness Garden was created. With donations from local people and businesses the garden started from nothing and grew to a beautiful and bountiful site.

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2012

Expanded The Spectrum Network Wellness Garden and Day Habilitation began participation in the Winneshiek Farmer’s Market.

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2014

Decorah thrift store opened to help create integrated employment opportunities in the community.