Edgecombe County Housing and Economic Development Director Eric Evans said the study on wireless broadband Internet access should be done before the end of August.
Wireless broadband Internet access for Edgecombe was a project championed by Tarboro Councilman Dr. Steve Hoard during the Golden LEAF Foundation's Community Assistance Initiative last year. After receiving input through the community and prioritizing the importance of several projects, Golden LEAF awarded the county $100,000 to conduct a wireless Internet feasibility study. The objective is to see if a wireless network would be viable within Edgecombe County.
"We expect the full report within the next 30 days" from Raleigh-based communication engineering firm ONUG Communications, Evans said. "We're blessed to have a lot of opportunities come our way, ... and the county is going to work hard to take advantage of them."
Back in April, the county Board of Commissioners approved an $81,123 contract with ONUG to perform the study. Evans explained that the company will see where broadband is needed within Edgecombe County, and then design a wireless Internet network and "project how much that would cost to build and sustain it."
The county is not yet sure how it will spend the rest of the funds left over from the Golden LEAF grant, Evans added.
After the results are released later this summer the county will look into other funding opportunities available through Golden LEAF and the Federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"Our hope is that if we complete our study, it will position us to pursue further funding" through the state foundation and the federal government, Evans said.
Another avenue for funding for a wireless broadband Internet system could come through the federal Department of Energy. Nearly $76 million will be available in North Carolina through the State Energy Program, part of the federal stimulus.
In order to apply for that money, the county is partnering with Edgecombe County Public Schools and Edgecombe Community College to come up with an energy savings plan.
"You try to do policy and behavioral changes among your staff" to cut energy consumption and save money on energy bills through the plan, Evans said. The county, ECPS and ECC are working to get their plan finished before the middle of September.
Changes in the energy savings plan could include replacing exit signs' lights with LED displays that consume less energy, and replacing fluorescent lights with with even more efficient fixtures. By replacing those lights with the more efficient technology, Evans said that it "more than pays for itself" with long-term savings.
Local News
Wireless study almost complete
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Gas prices in Tarboro lower than state average
With Memorial Day Weekend around the corner, travelers on U.S. 64 exiting into Tarboro could discover some of the cheapest gas in North Carolina.
On Wednesday, Murphy Express reported the cheapest gas at $3.35 while Hadi's, Raceway and Hess prices were one cent higher. -
Tar River United Way recognizes ‘community champions’
“Be the change” was the theme of a United Way Tar River Region luncheon Wednesday at The Gateway Convention Center in Rocky Mount. United Way TRR recognized “community champions,” celebrated the success of its 2012 fundraising campaign and encouraged volunteers and partner agencies to “be the change” they want to see in the community.
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America in Bloom judges’ visit Tarboro next month
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“Please join us as Tarboro prepares for the visit of national AIB judges on June 17 and 18,” said AIB co-chair Connie Sherrill in a competition planning update. “Help us bring out the beauty of our exceptional town.” -
Local Principal Completes Leadership Program
Donnell Brown, principal of Phillips Middle School, recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a yearlong leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association (NCPAPA) in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and UNC-LearnNC.
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Woman faces 32 charges
A Tarboro woman's scam has led authorities to arrest her on 28 charges.
According to a Tarboro Police Department report, Jennifer Ann Carr, 29, 1609 Barlow Rd. Apt. 9, took out loans in the names of 16 customers of a local business from January through April. Carr was employed through a temp agency with a local business, said Tarboro Police Sgt. Al Braxton. Braxton said the total loan amount netted $4,300.
Carr was charged with 16 counts of identity theft and 16 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. She was place in Edgecombe County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.
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Two suspects arrested on 36 charges; third issued citation
After executing a search warrant Thursday on a residence at 500 W. Johnston St. in Tarboro, police officers arrested two suspects for possessing a small amount of marijuana and issued a third suspect a citation for possessing a glass pipe to smoke the drugs.
After the marijuana was found, officers notified two of the three suspects that they also had additional warrants on them from the department's "Spring Fling" drug campaign where they had sold marijuana to undercover officers. -
Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday
Want a leg up in a medical terminology course? Anatomy? Physical science? Take a look at Latin, perhaps the best grounding for all education.
Not convinced? Just ask Stephen Herring, instructor of religion, geography, and developmental studies at Edgecombe Community College (ECC). He will teach an Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday. The class will meet at Fleming 218 on the Tarboro campus. -
NTSB wants to lower DWI blood alcohol levels
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a bold set of targeted interventions to put the United States on course to eliminate alcohol-impaired related crashes. They have given recommendations that call for stronger laws, swifter enforcement and expanded use of technology.
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Measles cases have state health officials concerned
Twenty-three cases of the measles have been reported in North Carolina in a recent outbreak and has state health officials concerned.
“It (measles) is a highly contagious disease that is spread in the air by coughing and sneezing,” said Susan Rogerson, nursing director at the Edgecombe County Health Department. Outbreaks of measles in the United States are rare because of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. -
County still looking for bids on 41 properties
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County Planning Director Brian Hassell said interested parties may submit bids for commissioners to consider. If a bid is approved and another party is interested, they may submit an upset bid. - More Local News Headlines
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