E-NC HAS COME TO HALIFAX AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES

Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue Kicks Off e-NC Initiative at HCC

e-NC has come to Halifax County and Northampton Counties! E-NC is a grassroots initiative to connect all North Carolinians, particularly those in rural areas, to the Internet and a better future.

A Technology Forum - the e-Engagement event, was held Wednesday, March 13, at Halifax Community College. North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue was the keynote speaker during the afternoon technology fair and stayed to greet area residents at a reception that followed.

In remarks to the large audience (more than 225), Lieutenant Governor Perdue said, "We are facing a high-tech world that is transforming our economy from an industrial-based economy to an information-based economy." She further stated that "We live in a different kind of world than we ever have before" and she said that the e-NC initiative was "more than realistic. It would be unrealistic not to do this. This is the right thing to do."

HCC President Dr. Ted Gasper said "HCC is continuing to apply for technology grants" to help underwrite the costs of the venture. "We will proceed with the implementation when funding is available."

Special technology displays were set up throughout the Continuing Education Center, including hands-on exhibits in special interest areas of e-Government, e-Health, e-Commerce, and e-Education. The Technology Fair introduced the community to the vast array of technology uses and opportunities available via Internet connections for businesses and for private citizens.

Exhibitors included CityLog.com, e-Business, e-Education, e-Government: including NC Division of Purchasing and Contracts and NC at Your Service, e-Health, Elliott's Computer Corner, Northampton County Chamber of Commerce, Persona Technology, Roanoke Energy Resources, Roanoke Technology Corporation, Sprint: including Cisco and Nortel, and Telpage.

Door prizes were provided by Halifax Community College, Radio Shack, Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, Sprint, and Telpage.

According to the e-NC local organizer and chairman, Willa Dickens, each community will be involved later this spring in an assessment meeting to decide the technological needs and future direction of each community. Individual community plans will then be incorporated into a larger scope, and final plans will put Halifax and Northampton Counties in excellent position to apply for grants and funding.

Greeting the guests

Brenda Linton, an independent consultant, will be putting the plans together. She will be gathering data and visiting key people in both counties to formulate her report.

The possibility of having high-speed access and broadband capabilities available for all citizens is now close to a reality in the Roanoke Valley. The lack of computer access to the general public could be a huge stumbling block in the area's progress, and the e-NC initiative is designed to remove that barrier and pave the way to e-Connectivity.

HCC officials were very pleased with the turnout for the HCC e-Engagement event featuring Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue. More than 225 were in attendance.

Halifax Community College is the e-Champion by mutual agreement for both Halifax County and Northampton County in the e-NC initiative to connect all North Carolinians. The e-communities program is a community outreach effort designed to assist counties in making high-speed access and training a reality for their areas.

The Rural Internet Access Authority is spearheading this major community effort in rural counties in North Carolina. Both Halifax and Northampton Counties will benefit from two grants funded by the RIAA to access community technology needs.

There is a lot going on right now with our e-NC project. As e-Champions for Halifax and Northampton counties we are going out into the communities and assessing their technological status, wish list, etc.