In a push to bridge the digital divide, Governor Roy Cooper has unveiled the Tech Resource Finder, a fresh digital tool aiming to assist North Carolinians with navigating the ever-expanding internet landscape. The new website, brought to life through the efforts of the N.C. Department of Information Technology's Division of Broadband and Digital Equity, supplies users with over 1,100 different resources to unlock the potential of internet usage, from essential digital skills classes to locating public computer access points.
Understanding the need for internet proficiency in the modern economic terrain, Governor Cooper underscored the initiative's core objective, stating, "All North Carolinians need the resources to access high-speed internet and use it safely and effectively.” The governor expressed hopes the website will become a cornerstone in helping individuals tap into the digital economy for work, education, healthcare, and social connectivity. The information compiled for the Tech Resource Finder reflects a comprehensive scan of organizations statewide that provide such crucial services, pinpointing community gaps ripe for future development initiatives.
Simplifying the search for tech aid, the website allows users to filter resources by county, zip code, or service type with visual options: a map or table view, citing everything from contact info to directions. The state's CIO and NCDIT Secretary, Jim Weaver, pointed out the site's mission, "The internet is essential in almost every aspect of today's world," emphasizing their commitment to raising awareness of resources that empower residents in enhancing their digital proficiency.
A partnership with NC State University’s William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation ensures that the Tech Resource Finder retains relevance with updated information. With the division joining forces with the United Way/NC 211, the Tech Resource Finder's wealth of offerings will soon become integral to the NC 211 system, whose trained community resource specialists connect callers to verified local sources, available in various languages, 24/7.
For further information or to tap into the available tech resources, interested parties can visit the Tech Resource Finder at https://www.ncbroadband.gov.
