Business Facilities - August 2008 - (Page 14)

COVER STORY Economic Development 2.0 systems to Wake Forest’s fiber optic ring. This fiber optic ring was then linked to the larger, statewide North Carolina Research and Education Network for easy information sharing and greater connectivity. The impact on the WinstonSalem community is undeniable. One hundred percent of government offices, most businesses, and 88% of households have broadband Internet access. WinstonNet offers free computer access in its 44 labs, located in public places such as schools, churches, and libraries throughout the city. In addition to free Internet access, the labs’ computers hold current Microsoft Office software, free email accounts, and free data storage. This community computer program is led by Wake Forest and Forsyth Technical Community College, and is sponsored by the Cisco Foundation and the Microsoft Corporation, which granted $491,000 in development funding in 2005. “This project is establishing Winston-Salem as a national model for how corporations and community organizations can work together to harness the benefits of information technology,” says Harold L. Martin, chancellor of Winston-Salem State University, one of the network’s educational partners. In 2006, WinstonNet launched the Beehive Web portal which provides information, in both English and Spanish, on employment, taxes, health, immigration, and much more for the entire community. Again funded by Cisco and partnered by national nonprofit group One Economy, the Beehive is the nation’s third most visited community Web portal, and its bilingual structure responds to the 37% increase in immigrants to North Downtown Winston-Salem, NC Rank 1 . p U.S To s i Citie W i-f 8 July 200 2 3 4 5 6 7 JiWire, Source: 8 9 10 Carolina from 2000 to 2006. The portal is maintained by WinstonSalem’s public library system. Also in 2006, WinstonNet, in partnership with Forsyth County Libraries, used a three-year grant from the state to create a computer training program, complete with a full-time coordinator and 40 volunteer trainers. In its debut year, the program trained nearly 1,000 people in 189 classes taught in both English and Spanish. Classes for the visually impaired and physically challenged are currently being planned. While Winston-Salem has Cities Hot Spots certainly utilized its 26 miles of fiber optic wiring, the city San Francisco 824 also sees the benefit of going wireless, underlining a dual New York 818 approach to Internet connectivity. Wireless Winston Chicago 769 includes plans for low-cost or free wireless Internet service Seattle 630 throughout the city and, curHouston 578 rently, all 44 WinstonNet computer labs also offer wi-fi Atlanta 502 access. WinstonNet aims to place computer equipment in Los Angeles 443 low- and moderate-income level households, and it mainSan Diego 438 tains that its initiative will not use any taxpayer money to San Antonio 437 complete. Instead, WinstonNet is seeking a private venAustin 435 dor to own and operate the busy network. 14 AUGUST 2008 PHOTO CREDIT: FLICKR.COM http://FLICKR.COM

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Business Facilities - August 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: Florida Economic Development 2.0 Everything's Big in Texas Aerospace Sites: Poised for Takeoff The Nebraska Advantage Metro Spotlight: Cullman, Alabama Special Focus: Louisiana Industry Focus: Financial Centers Advertiser Index Inside LiveXChange

Business Facilities - August 2008

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