BRBDC extends support services to agencies

The Blue Ridge Business Development Center (BDC) is extending technology support services to local agencies and to the community as a whole.

"The BDC is starting to unroll its technology services," said George Matuck, the BDC's director of technology and resources.

Last week the BDC signed contracts with Alleghany County government and NAPCO to provide tech support services. Matuck said he anticipates similar agreements with Alleghany Memorial Hospital and the Alleghany County Library, pending approval of the respective boards of those organizations. In addition, a telephone number is available for local residents to call with computer technology-related questions.

Formerly known as the Blue Ridge Telecenter, the BDC was founded almost a year ago through a grant initiative of the N.C. Rural Internet Access Authority, whose goal is to link all North Carolinians, particularly those in rural areas, to the Internet. Now located in a temporary office on Main Street, the former Sheets Jewelry location, the BDC plans to move to its permanent home, the former Basset Walker building on Atwood Street, next year. The BDC will be joined there by Wilkes Community College-Alleghany Campus and Alleghany JobLink.

Peggy Choate is the BDC's new tech support administrator. "The BDC currently has seven technology resources (people) that she can utilize to help resolve any of our clients' issues," said Matuck, "anything from a broken piece of equipment to network problems to training requirements. We try to cover all the bases."

Matuck said those seven resource people are Ted Wagoner, specializing in personal computer (PC) installation and repair; Forrest Hamm, network specialist; another network specialist soon to be announced; Terri Nichols, specializing in software and Macintosh applications; Bob Bamberg, web development and software support; Jean McGraw, software applications; and Darla McClure, computer technician.

Matuck said BDC expects to add more specialists as the demand and the client roster grow.

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