Governor Warner recently served two terms as the ARC States' co-chairman. In that capacity, he hosted two ARC annual meetings, one focused on bringing broadband technology to the region and the other highlighting strategies to develop Appalachia's cultural and heritage tourism assets.
The Governor's recommendation of $240,350 in ARC grants also includes funding from the Commission's Telecommunications Initiative and the Asset-Based Development Initiative. Grants awarded through the ARC Telecommunications Initiative focus on projects that will increase access to technology, support technology-based education and training programs, increase e-commerce practices, and create technology-sector jobs.
"The technology grants I am recommending will connect more communities and businesses with the power of cutting-edge technology, and provide additional opportunities for our citizens to access job training to use it," Governor Warner said.
For instance, the Wythe-Grayson Regional Library in Independence, Virginia, will use $25,000 in ARC funds to create the Whitetop Community E-Commerce Incubator and Computer Training Lab. This program will make computers and Web design instruction more widely available to students, other residents and small businesses in the small, rural community.
