Under the leadership of Harlan Countians, the Connect Kentucky program recently launched a strategic technology plan directed at improving the economy and quality of life in the county.

The Connect Kentucky plan is part of Gov. Ernie Fletcher's Prescription for Innovation, aimed at providing broadband Internet services to all areas of the state. Kentucky ranks 44th in the nation in the proportion of high-tech businesses, 45th in residential computer use and 43rd in residential Internet use.

Harlan County was one of the first counties chosen last year to participate in the program, which involved the formation of the Harlan County eCommunity Leadership Team - a group of almost 30 Harlan Countians.

The team constructed a plan with two top priorities set in Harlan County - to increase technology education and to make government more accessible online.

To achieve each goal, two teams were created - the Education Team consisting of the Harlan County School District, the Harlan Indepdent School District, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, the Harlan County Extension Service and the Harlan County Public Library - and the E-Government Team, consisting of the Harlan County Judge-Executive Office, Harlan's seven cities, and Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College.

The plan includes the enhancement of the Harlan County Web site (http://

harlancountyjudge-executive. 8m.com), as well as the construction of a Harlan City Web site, incorporating E-Government services for the community.

Connect Kentucky Project Manager Ernie Wood said the technology plan was the “demand side” of the supply and demand equation necessary to bring broadband providers to the table.

Broadband Internet is available in many areas parts of the county, but a map prepared by Connect Kentucky and Murray State University shows that large numbers of households in the eastern part of the county are still unserved. However, work is in progress in several areas, including Dayhoit, Smith and Evarts, to supply DSL broadband to those areas.