High-Speed Public Internet Access available to Jackson County Residents

WEBSTER - Jackson County residents can now take advantage of free public Internet access at the Jackson County Family Resource Center (FRC), located in the back of the Old Webster School.

Funded in part through a $12,000 grant from the e-NC Initiative, a statewide effort to connect all North Carolinians to the Internet, Jackson County's e-community effort was led by Larry Tucker, former of e-champion of Jackson County, and aided by Southwestern Community College.

Four computers equipped with high-speed Internet access and printers are available to any Jackson County resident who would like to conduct research on the Internet, develop resumes or compose documents. An adult must accompany children under the age of 18.

The new site is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and after 4 p.m. by appointment; and Sunday after 12 p.m. by appointment. Jackson County developed initial plans for the site this past spring as part of local efforts to put together a strategic plan to bring greater high-speed Internet access and training to Jackson County.

"The availability of these four public access computers will greatly increase the ability of Jackson County residents to utilize the latest technology, as well as the tremendous resources of the Internet, " said Barbara Jefferys of Jackson County FRC. "These computers are here for anyone needing this technology, including elementary, high school and college students, as well as persons seeking to conduct research on the Internet, develop resumes and compose other documents."

In late July 2002, e-NC awarded a total of $768,000 in public access site grants to 64 rural counties across North Carolina. Each of these counties received a $12,000 grant to either establish new public Internet access centers or enhance existing sites.

"As public access sites continue to open across the state, citizens are being offered an excellent opportunity to gain familiarity with technology and build the skills they need to utilize everything the Internet and computers have to offer," said Dr. James Leutze, chairman of the Rural Internet Access Authority, the group leading the e-NC Initiative. "By creating greater Internet accessibility, e-NC and our e-communities partners aim to improve North Carolinians' quality of life and economic prospects."

Private funds are the main source of financial support for e-NC's efforts, including its public access site grants programs. Of the more than 75 organizations supporting e-NC through cash and in-kind contributions, the largest contributor is MCNC (formerly the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina). In 1999, this self-supporting nonprofit organization committed $30 million to e-NC for programs and statewide initiatives.

To learn more about Jackson County's public access site, or to schedule computer usage, please contact the Jackson County FRC at 586-2845.

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