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Abbeville County, SC

Abbeville proclaims commitment to economic development, quality of life with Connected community certification; becomes second community in state to achieve certification


Abbeville, SC – Abbeville is now officially a Connect South Carolina certified Connected community! With Abbeville’s certification, the community becomes the 26th in the country and the second in the state of South Carolina, after Anderson County, to achieve certification.

The occasion was marked with a private event Wednesday at West Carolina Tel in Abbeville with more than 20 people in attendance. The Abbeville County Economic Development team was presented with an official Connected trophy and certificates.

Abbeville’s Connected certification comes after almost a year and a half of the Abbeville County Economic Development team working with Connect South Carolina to assess the broadband landscape, identify gaps, and establish actionable goals and objectives.

“Abbeville County is proud to be only the second county to become certified by Connect South Carolina,” said Steve Bowles, Abbeville County Development Board director and community champion. “We will strive to lead the field in recruiting industry dependent upon this technology.”

Connected certification affords a community an avenue to discuss its success and pursue opportunities as a recognized, technologically advanced community.

The Abbeville County Technology Action Plan unveiled at the event includes projects to complete a vertical assets inventory, establish a “Community Technology Academy,” initiate a community computer refurbishment or recycling program, and to facilitate a technology summit.

The certification is an important benchmark as the team now phases into working its newly established long-term community technology action plan. Residents are also encouraged to get involved by joining their local Connected technology team and using the free Every Community Online program to get training in computer and Internet skills which makes them eligible for discounted computers and home Internet service.

The Connected program is part of the Connect South Carolina initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce NTIA State Broadband Initiative program. Connect South Carolina 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.

Download the Press Release