May 23, 2003 For more information, contact:
For immediate release Dave Cich (361) 668-9358
Training Coordinator
Jim Wells County Community Network
Announces Schedule for Computer & Internet Training Sessions
The Jim Wells County Community Network has announced the schedule for the first free training sessions for Introduction to Computers and the Internet . There is no charge to the public for the training sessions. The first training sessions in Alice and Orange Grove are scheduled for:
Tuesday, May 27 Coastal Bend College – Alice Center
704 Coyote Trail, Alice
• 1:00 – 3:00 PM• 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Tuesday, June 10 Orange Grove High School & Public Library
700 South Reynolds , Orange Grove
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 NOON
Tuesday, June 17 Coastal Bend College – Alice Center
704 Coyote Trail, Alice
• 1:00 – 3:00 PM
• 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Orange Grove High School & Public Library
700 South Reynolds , Orange Grove
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 NOON
To register for the free training sessions, please call
Coastal Bend College – Alice Center
664-2981 , extension 3043
Additional free training sessions for the public will be scheduled in Alice , Orange Grove, Ben Bolt and Premont in June , July and August. For more information, please call Dave Cich ( 668-9358 ) or Coastal Bend College – Alice Center ( 664-2981, ext. 3043 .
About the Jim Wells County Community Network
Through a grant from the Texas Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board, the Jim Wells County Community Network has purchased and installed 65 computers at 16 public access computer sites located throughout the County that will be available for use by county residents at no charge. A primary objective of the Network is to provide free computer and Internet training to residents who do not currently have access to these resources.
The 65 public access computers are 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.
In April , the Community Network 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.