Groves and many other experts believe that decisions and investments made in the next two to three years will have a huge impact on local economies for the next several decades. E-commerce and information technology are spreading rapidly, and the communities that invest in the infrastructure early will reap the benefits. Those who refuse to make the necessary investments will be left behind. Groves has been touting what he refers to as the Smoky Mountain Knowledge Network. SCC serves Jackson, Macon and Swain counties and the Qualla Boundary, and it has already established an interactive network of television and audio equipment it calls Community Link.
Connectivity is the key.
Jay Henson, economic development director for Haywood County, says every business that looks into locating in the county asks about the availability of high-speed Internet connections. It's available, Henson tells them, but it is a lot more expensive than it is in larger metropolitan areas. This is where the term digital divide comes from. Rural areas have always struggled for jobs and economic prosperity. Statistics point out the glaring income gap between the Piedmont Crescent stretching from Charlotte to Raleigh and those of us in the rest of the state.