Category: Buncombe

Broadband & Employment

Broadband is high speed internet that connects you to the world and the opportunities that it beholds. Economic opportunities are changing as a result of broadband.

This Wednesday, Marc Czarnecki will hold a Livestream event with the Asheville Chamber of Commerce’s WNC Career Expo. It’s virtual, so you need internet access. Plan your internet access!

WNC CAREER EXPO

REGIONAL VIRTUAL JOB FAIR

At 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 14 – the Experienced Workforce Initiatives very own Web Tech Czar – Marc Czarnecki is inviting you to join his Google Livestream event on broadband and how to leverage it for your employment.

Using Broadband for Employment

Register TODAY at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce’s Virtual Job Fair and on Wednesday morning you will have access to the ‘Employment & Training Services’ > ‘Asheville 50+ Works’ > Webcasts.

The Webcast button in ‘Asheville 50+ Works’ will contain the livestream URL for you to join.

Broadband access Buncombe Education

Stories of Buncombe Internet

Post author By admin
Post date September 23, 2020

Buncombe County stories of the lack of reliable internet:

Pamela Smith’s household – not enough bandwidth for her four high-school-age daughters
Amanda Anderson’s household – satellite internet that proved insufficient for online learning for sons age 11 and 14

Barry Pace, director of technology for Buncombe County Schools, said teachers are helping families who have ongoing access issues by giving students hands-on learning kits, thumb drives loaded with assignments and alternative assignments as needed.
All public school students in Buncombe County receive an iPad or a Windows laptop, depending on their grade level, so the key issue is proximity to reliable internet.

But for students who are not in range of a cell tower or whose families can’t afford home internet, there is no quick fix.

#digitalinclusion #digitaleducation #digitaldivide #buncombe

Virtually no internet: Rural NC families struggle with online access for school-age children

Buncombe Elections

Buncombe, Broadband, General Elections

Post author By admin
Post date September 22, 2020
No Comments on Buncombe, Broadband, General Elections

Is broadband on your mind with the upcoming Buncombe elections?

Who mentions broadband in their campaign?

US Senate

Cal Cunningham | Priorities: Lower-cost, accessible healthcare; equitable economy + living wage; investing in rural broadband; raising teacher pay; spreading solar energy; protecting Roe v. Wade; common-sense gun reform; expanding voting rights + more

Thom Thillis (incumbent) | Priorities: Helped pass the Farm Bill; increase broadband access for rural communities; expand + maintain export markets for agricultural products; “right-sizing” solar tariffs; help with national park maintenance; secure borders and use merit-based immigration system; roll back wasteful Obama-era regulations; combat the opioid crisis

NC Commissioner of Agriculture

Jenna Wadsworth | Priorities: Farmland preservation; building resiliency into farm plans to address climate change; promoting hemp and cannabis legalization; increasing opportunities for farmers + rural communities; food science research; rural broadband access + more

Buncombe County Commission District 1

Terri Wells (D) | Priorities: Improving access to high-quality broadband internet; building more greenways + recreational assets; improving local education and increasing access; mitigating the effects of climate change; using tax dollars raised from tourism to improve the lives of residents. DYK: Terri is a ninth generation farmer in Sandy Mush. She serves on the Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board and was a creator of the Farm Heritage Trail.

#votebroadband #buncombe #generalelections

The 2020 election in Buncombe County

Tags Elections

Broadband access Broadband in WNC Buncombe Community Development Digital Divide Economic Development WiFi

Free Broadband in Buncombe

Post author By admin
Post date September 15, 2020
No Comments on Free Broadband in Buncombe

City of Asheville IT staff is investigating possibilities to provide free broadband in Asheville and Buncombe County.

Free broadband internet would be available in public spots throughout Buncombe County under a proposal by the local government’s information technology department.

“Information Technology staff continue to work with internet providers to explore opportunities for internet connectivity throughout the County (Buncombe Broadband Workgroup) to help those who do not currently have access to high speed internet”

Also See:

Support, educate, advocate for digital inclusion with our WNC Broadband Project Leadership Team.

Broadband access Buncombe WiFi

Outside Buncombe Library – Free WiFi Zone

Post author By admin
Post date July 12, 2020
No Comments on Outside Buncombe Library – Free WiFi Zone

Buncombe County Public Libraries have free wifi hotspots available outside any library building.

To use the wifi, look for the LibraryGuest network and use the password readmore.

The wifi is available all day every day, whether the library is open or not.

Please observe all Buncombe County social distancing and gathering requirements while using the wifi.

Questions? Call (828) 250-4700 or email library@buncombecounty.org.

https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/news_detail.aspx?id=18641