Recent News // Recent News: San Augustine County Welcomes Comprehensive Technology Plan
Friday, May 31, 2013
San Augustine County proclaims commitment to economic development and quality of life with Connected community technology plan
San Augustine, TX – San Augustine County, Texas now has an action plan to make way for greater technology use across the community and pave the way for a brighter economic future. The Technology Action Plan was unveiled as part of San Augustine County’s participation in the Connected Community Engagement Program through the Connected Texas initiative. Ten Texas communities are currently involved in some stage of the Connected program.
The occasion was marked with a public event at the San Augustine County Courthouse. San Augustine County Judge and community champion, the Hon. Samye Johnson expressed excitement with the plan’s detailed actions for the future.
“San Augustine County is located in a rural region of East Texas that is commonly referred to Deep East Texas. The county is comprised of 592.3 square miles with a population density of 16.7 people per square mile. I can say, with absolute certainty, that before our county can truly grow and prosper, we must be able to offer the same high-speed Internet accessibility that is enjoyed by our prosperous urban neighbors,” said Johnson. “Indeed, I cannot think of anything more important to our long term economic development than the work being done by the Connected Texas program.”
Participating in the Connected program means San Augustine County has gone through an extensive assessment of its overall broadband and technology innovation. The Technology Action Plan sets general community-wide broadband connectivity requirements to be worked towards that will support economic development and residential quality of life. San Augustine County’s top goal from the new plan is to expand broadband availability to unserved areas using fixed wireless technology. The new plan gives the community step-by-step action items to make sure that goal is met. The plan will also support growing digital literacy through future broadband expansion and programs that will ensure the community maintains widespread Internet access, adoption, and use.
“This Connected Technology Action Plan is a big key to success for both the present and the future of San Augustine County,” said Connected Texas Executive Director Don Shirley. “San Augustine County is helping lead the way for Texas communities that are serious about making sure it’s ready to benefit from all the economic and lifestyle opportunities that the digital age provides. It’s all part of Texas’ solid plans for future growth.”
The Connected program is part of the Connected Texas initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce NTIA State Broadband Initiative (SBI) program. Connected Texas is working to facilitate the access, adoption, and use of technology throughout the state to create a better business environment, more effective community and economic development, improved healthcare, more efficient government, enhanced education, and improved quality of life. Residents are encouraged to get involved by joining their local Connected technology team and using the free Every Community Online program offered by Connected Texas to get training in computer and Internet skills which makes them eligible for discounted computers and home Internet service.
Photo caption: Connected Texas Program Manager LaTanya Tatum presents details of the San Augustine County Technology Action Plan to residents gathered at the San Augustine County Courthouse.
Photo caption: Texas Department of Agriculture Regional Representative Bill Hoppe, Connected Texas Program Manager LaTanya Tatum, San Augustine County Judge Sayme Johnson, and Connected Texas Executive Director Don Shirley at the San Augustine County Technology Action Plan presentation at the San Augustine County Courthouse.
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About Connected Texas: Connected Texas is a subsidiary of Connected Nation and operates as a non-profit in the state of Texas. The Texas Department of Agriculture is leading the initiative to increase broadband Internet access, adoption, and use across the state. Connected Texas was commissioned by the state to work with all Texas broadband providers to create detailed maps of broadband coverage and development of a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of broadband. For more information visit: http://www.connectedtx.org.
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Connected Nation developed the Connected community engagement program to help guide a community through an assessment of its overall broadband and technology status. Connected Certified Communities have measurably demonstrated their proficiency for effective Access, Adoption, and Use of broadband supported technologies. Connected Nation through its partners provides a national platform for recognizing those communities that excel across these important benchmarks. Funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), this effort is part of the State Broadband Initiative. http://www.connectednation.org/get-connected