UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Areas of Union County are thought of to be a “broadband desert,” based on Taylor Atkinson, the Govt Director of the Union County Library System.
“There are of us who don’t have web entry of their houses,” defined Atkinson. “It’s not just because they will’t afford it or don’t need it. They actually can’t have broadband as a result of the fiber optic cables don’t run out to those rural areas of the group.”
Final week, an iCarolina Lab opened on the Union County Carnegie Library. It’s outfitted with Apple desktops, laptops and iPads. It’s a part of a $6 million program, created by Gov. Henry McMaster, to attach rural areas with Web service.
“I’m happy that these labs are coming on-line at a time when fundamental entry to broadband web performs a vital function rising alternatives for our rural college students and communities. With extra labs within the community opening within the coming months, we’re inserting sources within the fingers of our communities and other people, permitting them to take part in our state’s rising financial system.”
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster
The lab is open to anybody residing in Union County in addition to College of South Carolina Union college students.
“We’re actually grateful to Governor McMaster for his funding and recognizing that there’s a necessity for broadband and expertise in these rural communities,” mentioned Akinson.
“Being a Union native, this wasn’t one thing that Union County had once I was rising up,” added John Michael Greer, the iCarolina Lab Coordinator at USC Union.
Lessons can be supplied to show folks how one can use the computer systems and completely different packages they’re outfitted with. Atkinson mentioned she hopes this lab could have a long-lasting impression on the county.
“We like to think about ourselves as a cornerstone or hub throughout the group,” defined Atkinson. “We’ve got of us coming out and in all day. Individuals have to go on the pc. They’re making use of for jobs, or they’re printing out pay stubs or different paperwork.”
The lab in Union County is situated at 300 East South Avenue. It’s open Monday by means of Saturday.
The Governor’s Workplace tells 7News iCarolina Labs can even open at Benedict School, in Columbia’s Bull Avenue District and at 5 USC Palmetto School campuses.