Fontana Dam – Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team’s quarterly meeting Nov. 16 provided insight on some planned internet upgrades.
“GREAT exists because of community,” said GREAT Director Michelle Shiplet. “GREAT exists for community, so we want community to be a part of what we do.”
Local businessman Kevin Brown talked about the digital literacy program at the Five Point Center. Resources for students and people in the community can visit the center to use office space and computers.
Brown said the program teaches citizens about technology -- mostly the elderly or people who have trouble with technology. The program also received grant funds to provide devices like laptops for citizens who cannot afford a device. Some people received hotspots if they didn’t have access to internet.
The digital literacy program is working with the Southwestern Commission to get more fiber-optic internet available in Graham County, especially Robbinsville.
Provider BalsamWest has had a free WiFi network on standby in downtown Robbinsville since the height of the COVID pandemic, but has yet to activate it.
The program also ushered in the creation of a new website for GREAT, greatgc.org. Brown designed the site.
Shiplet mentioned that in 2020, the Appalachian Regional Commission Program allowed GREAT to repurpose a portion of grant funding they had to help create the digital literacy program.
“ARC is funding and creating opportunities all across the country to get people up to speed about digital literacy and broadband,” Shiplet added. “We’re going to be focusing on the economic side of things, not residential. We’re trying to get affordable broadband to our businesses.”
Education in a cup
Shiplet later noted that construction is about to begin on the “Education in a Cup” project in downtown Robbinsville.
She estimated that by the end of the 2023-24 school year – or the beginning of next school year – students will be working with their businesses in the building.
The general idea is that Career Technical Education students – as well as the Exceptional Children’s Program – will run a business during school hours, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The coffee shop from the high school could move into this building, along with other student-run products like sandwiches, imprinting, pet treats and supplies, and t-shirts.