Information sessions will help businesses/residents make full use of high-speed Internet service

March 15, 2006

Amherst, NS - The delivery of high-speed Internet services to many previously un-served communities throughout Cumberland County as a result of the recent Cumberland Broadband Project has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for businesses and residents alike.

The Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association (CREDA) is partnering with Aliant to present a series of four information sessions in Parrsboro and Pugwash that are designed to help new users in the recently connected communities get the most out of their Internet service. Each community will host two information sessions, one specifically designed for business and one for residential customers. The Parrsboro information sessions are meant to serve high speed customers from Parrsboro, Port Greville, Advocate Harbour, River Hebert and Joggins. The Pugwash sessions will appeal to those connected in the communities of Pugwash, Wallace, Malagash and Wentworth.

Understanding e-business, the information sessions for small and medium businesses focusing on the benefits and expected business outcomes of e-business solutions, will be held on March 21 at the Fundy Geological Museum in Parrsboro and on March 22 in Pugwash at St. Thomas Moore Church Hall. These sessions will run from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and are open to all members of the local business community. Topics will include the e-Business Awareness Program, the Internet and the world wide web, electronic commerce and electronic business, business value on the Internet, and CBDC Cumberland programs.

Information sessions for residential users will take place on March 23 in Pugwash at St. Thomas Moore Church Hall and on March 27 at the Fundy Geological Museum in Parrsboro. Each session will run from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. and will include a basic introduction to the Internet, along with topics such as keeping your family safe on-line, introduction to e-government services, and on-line library services.

Representatives from the Cumberland Regional Library, Service Canada, and CBDC Cumberland will also participate in the information sessions.

The Connecting Cumberland Broadband Project resulted in the delivery of high speed Internet to nine Cumberland County communities in 2004 and 2005. CREDA, acting as community champion, was one of 33 applicants selected from across Canada for the Industry Canada initiative, which was also funded by Aliant, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Municipality of the County of Cumberland, the Town of Parrsboro, the Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development and the Community Access Network.

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