April 30, 2003 For more information, contact:
For immediate release Alice Byers (361) 664-2981 (x3021)
Project Director
Coastal Bend College – Alice Center
Jim Wells County Community Network
Launches Public Access Computers and Web Site
The Jim Wells County Community Network (“Network”) has announced the launch of 16 public access computer sites and 75 computers located throughout Jim Wells County that will be available for use by county residents at no charge. A primary objective of the Network is to provide free Internet access and training to residents who do not currently have access to these resources.
As a second primary objective, the Network also announced the launch of a new web site, www.JimWellsCounty.Net , which will serve as the portal to the Community Network, and provide links to member organizations and other resources. Information available on the web site will include community calendars, educational materials, the Healthy Communities Initiative, and other information.
The public access computers and web site development are funded by a $525,000 grant from the Texas Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) Board, and $52,500 in local matching funds. The grant administrator is Coastal Bend College-Alice Center. “ Coastal Bend College is proud to be a part of this important initiative for our community,” stated Alice Byers , Director of the Alice Center and Project Director. Byers stated, “This is a tremendous opportunity for Jim Wells County to close the digital divide by providing greater access to information and opportunities for our citizens.”
The 75 public access computers will be located at Coastal Bend College-Alice Center; Alice Public Library; Premont Public Library; Orange Grove High School and Junior High Public Libraries; Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School Library; Community Action Corporation Senior Service Centers in Alice, Orange Grove and Premont; Texas Workforce Center in Alice; Alice Housing Authority (2 sites); Alice Chamber of Commerce; Orange Grove Museum and Chamber of Commerce; and Cornerstone Baptist Church in Alice. Installations are also planned for CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Alice, La Gloria School Library and the Jim Wells County Appraisal District. Other sites are also being considered.
The Network web site is being developed by the Jathai Group, a prominent information technology consulting firm with offices in Seattle and Denver . The web site offers information on libraries, education, health and social services, E-Government, E-Commerce, public safety, and community events. New features will be added to the web site periodically. The Jathai Group is also working with the Network to develop web sites for local governments including the City of Alice , Alice ISD , Jim Wells County , and the Jim Wells County Appraisal District, which will be launched later this year.
Jim Wells County Judge L. Arnoldo Saenz and Alice Mayor Rito Silva serve as members of the Network’s Governing Board. “I’m pleased that Jim Wells County received a Community Network Grant made available through the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund,” stated Judge Saenz . He added, “This could only happen when the community gets together and works toward a goal that will benefit all the citizens of our great county.” Mayor Silva stated, “ "I'm really proud of the grant. This will help close the technology gap and give more citizens access to computers that otherwise would not have that chance.” He concluded, “Furthermore, I hope this grant will bring city services and city information to the technological era. We are making great strides to catch up to the rest of the country in the area of technology."
Dr. John Brockman , President of Coastal Bend College emphasized the importance of this project, “What if you had heard about State Highway 44 or U. S. Highway 281 for years and years, but you had no access to either road. You knew that the highways were there, but you, your family, and your business could not get to these highways. You probably wouldn't like it and your business would probably suffer.” He continued, “There are citizens of Jim Wells County who have heard about the Internet for years and years, but they cannot get to it. The Jim Wells Community Network will help solve this problem by providing access to the World Wide Web.” He concluded, “The community network will open doors that are now closed to many Jim Wells County citizens.”