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American Connects Consortium (ACC) at Education Development
Center, Inc. was established in 2000 by the U.S. Department
of Education to help build the capacity of its community technology
centers (CTCs), with the aim of developing strong local CTC
programs throughout the U.S., and fostering the creation of
effective networks of community technology stakeholders.
ACC is a collaboration of eight partners and allied organizations
(or "friends") who work together to bring information, training,
technical assistance, public attention, and new resources
to community technology centers across the country. All this
work is made possible by a $2 million contract with the Office
of Vocational and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of
Education.
One of the CTC programs that ACC works with is the Appalachian
Center for Economic Development (ACEnet), a community economic
development organization located in rural southeastern Ohio.
ACEnet builds the capacity of local communities to network,
innovate, and work together to create a strong, sustainable
regional economy.
ACEnet uses a sectoral strategy, currently focusing on the
food and technology sectors of the economy. In each sector,
ACEnet staff provide basic service that businesses need to
start, expand, and create quality jobs. At the same time,
staff encourage entrepreneurs to network with each other,
sharing information and generating joint ventures that enable
them to enjoy economies of scale typical of much larger businesses.
ACEnet staff also identify key new services or resources
that, if available, could increase the success of the businesses.
ACEnet either directly develops the capacity-as in the case
of the incubator facilities-or staff work with other local
or regional organizations to develop the new service-as is
the case of the many public access sites in the area that
provide free computer usage. These new capacities become community
assets that continue to generate and support new economic
activity for years to come.
Another project sponsored by ACEnet is the Youth Leadership
Forum, which explores opportunities for youth development
and youth leadership through new technologies. With the support
of CTC staff, young people in centers around the country are
learning, seeking out new ideas, developing artistic skills,
creating content, and contributing to their communities in
a variety of ways. The AT&T Young Leaders Program is one the
ways in which ACC supports this. In summer 2001, ACC launched
a pilot in which 10 young people involved with leadership
activities back at home were chosen to participate in an online
exploration of how new technologies can be used to cultivate
leadership skills. For more information click here
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