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Saluda County, SC

Saluda, SC – Saluda County 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 on Wednesday, February 27 at the American Legion Building in Saluda as part of Saluda County’s participation in the Connected community engagement program through the Connect South Carolina initiative. Seven South Carolina communities are currently involved in some stage of the Connected program, but Saluda County is the state’s first to unveil its official Technology Action Plan.

"Many Saluda County citizens and businesses have expressed interest in more available, faster broadband service,” said Saluda County Council Chairman and Saluda County Technology Engagement Committee Co-chair Donald Hancock. “This Technology Action Plan, jointly produced by the Saluda County Technology Assessment Committee and Connect South Carolina, is a powerful step in achieving better countywide broadband service. Connect South Carolina has been simply wonderful in its support and guidance in this endeavor."

Participating in the Connected program means Saluda County has gone through an extensive assessment of its overall broadband and technology innovation. The Technology Action Plan sets general community-wide broadband connectivity goals to work toward that will support economic development and residential quality of life. Saluda 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.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the Saluda County Technology Assessment Committee made a commitment to focus on broadband access, specifically in education and in businesses, and proceed with the steps to implementation.

"Saluda County has so much pride and I really enjoyed working with the technology assessment team on the Connected program,” said Connect South Carolina Community Technology Advisor Heather Jones. “Community Champion Don Hancock has a great deal of passion for his county and I know with such good leadership, Saluda will continue its efforts to implement the action steps from the technology plan."

The Connected program is part of the Connect South Carolina initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce NTIA State Broadband Initiative (SBI) 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. Residents are encouraged to get involved by joining their local Connected technology team and using the free Every Community Online program offered by Connect South Carolina to get training in computer and Internet skills which makes them eligible for discounted computers and home Internet service.