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Ga. Tech's TechSmart survey polls local leaders on Wilkes technology vision, goals, future needs Taking steps to bridge the digital divide between Wilkes County residents and information technology, a TechSmart community analysis was conducted Tuesday morning with community leaders. "Georgia Tech facilitates these sessions with local leaders," said Greg Laudeman of Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute, "to set a vision for the community, capture the goals of the community's enterprises, and define requirements for technology, which establishes where you want to go. We'll help you create a customized roadmap - including a simple and actionable plan - for digital development. We also help you navigate that roadmap." Washington-Wilkes has been selected by the OneGeorgia Authority to receive funding from the BRIDGE Program (Broadband Rural Initiative to Develop Georgia's Economy) to help identify broadband communications needs in Wilkes County and the means available to fill those needs, said David Jenkins, Payroll Development Authority director. Tuesday's first step in the BRIDGE Program, the TechSmart Community Analysis, will be followed by a second meeting next Thursday, April 19, at 10 a.m. in the Board of Commissioners Room at the Wilkes County Courthouse. Laudeman led the discussion Tuesday morning as more than a dozen city and county leaders discussed where they saw Wilkes County changing over the next three to five years, and what problems and challenges they expect to see during that time. During the second session on Thursday, April 19, he said "We'll benchmark how your community's business, civic, and government enterprises are using IT in their operations, and capture information about their operational issues, needs, opportunities, and plans. This identifies where you are today." Georgia Tech then identifies the talent, teamwork, and technologies that will move Wilkes County, Laudeman said, "from where you are, to where you want to go, con- trolling costs, increasing revenue, and creating new income along the way. During a third roadmapping session we help community leaders choose the best routes and vehicles for your community." Last March, Governor Sonny Perdue and members of the OneGeorgia Authority board approved regulations for a new financing program that will bring highspeed broadband connectivity to rural Georgia. Perdue called for the OneGeorgia Authority to establish a grant program to support rural broadband access.
The BRIDGE fund will provide grants for publicly owned infrastructure based on the number of rural counties receiving new or enhanced high speed broadband services. The BRIDGE fund will grant $200,000 for single-county projects and $400,000 for projects impacting two counties. Perdue's FY07 budget proposal includes $5 million as initial funding for the BRIDGE program.
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