<< Back 5/8/02 Progress made on building Knowledge Network SMN Jackson County, in partnership with Southwestern Community College, has secured $10,000 in grant funding to help residents more fully benefit from the information superhighway The funding was granted by the North Carolina Rural Internet Access Authority (RIAA) through its e-Communities grant program. The RIAA is a grassroots initiative that aims to use the Internet as a tool for helping people improve their quality of life. The RIAA has defined an e-Community as one that provides its citizens with social, cultural and educational opportunities utilizing current information technologies in an accessible community environment. Jackson County will use the money to enhance its planning efforts regarding the Smoky Mountain Knowledge Network initiative being spearheaded by Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary. These efforts will strengthen the region’s ability to benefit from existing and planned statewide investments in information and communication technologies. To support this initiative, Jackson County has designated Larry Tucker as its “e-champion” — meaning he will help the county work with the RIAA and the Smoky Mountain Knowledge Network Coalition in the drive to further develop the telecommunications infrastructure in this region. “We’re here to try and stir up interest in the community and support for these telecommunications projects,” said Tucker. “We encourage people to get behind this initiative for the good of the community - especially in the area of economic development. Before businesses and industries locate anywhere these days, they look to see what level of telecommunications services you have available.” Working with Tucker and the Jackson County e-Community Team is Stacy Guffey, who has been given release time from his duties as SCC’s e-Commerce Design Program Director to serve as the project director for this effort. “These grants will support organized efforts that bring together the leaders of the diverse communities of interest within each county,” said Guffey, “The funding will help these leaders discuss county needs and find ways that technology can meet those needs.” This grant funding is part of the RIAA’s effort to attain its goal of linking all North Carolinians — especially those in rural areas — to the Internet. Cecil Groves, president of Southwestern Community College, serves on the RIAA and said the new funding will be great support for Jackson County. “At SCC, we believe the best way to enhance this region is to pool together our collective resources and to partner with the people and the communities we serve,” said Groves. “There are already efforts in place, like Appalachian Access, that allow Jackson County to benefit from a shared network that will be created in this region. We believe that by leveraging our collective buying power and creating a critical mass through this network, we are empowered to be a driver in the social and economic destiny of our region.” Macon and Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary also worked with SCC to secure these RIAA e-Community grants for a total of $45,000 for the region. Each entity has also designated a “connectivity champion” to serve as the point of information exchange with the RIAA. Future funding from the RIAA will be available to e-Communities that prepare a comprehensive technology plan. To learn more about the Smoky Mountain Knowledge Network, visit www.smkn.org on the Internet. For more information about SCC, visit www.southwest.cc.nc.us on the Internet or call 586.4091 or 800.447.4091. For information about the RIAA, visit www.e-nc.org on the Internet.