Seeking IT answers in Rockingham County

The Rockingham County Business and Technology Center turns the table somewhat concerning the traditional role of information technology resources.
Most computer users are familiar with making frantic cries for help to IT support when systems close down or programs lock up, but RCBTC is reversing that trend by asking that community of users to assist them in solving an IT problem.
Mark Wells, executive director of RCBTC, announced this week the center needs additional input from Rockingham County residents to create an Information Technology Coalition.
“Since the RCBTC opened three years ago, I’ve met many business owners who purchase IT support outside of Rockingham County,” Wells said. “We hope the IT Coalition will help pull some of that business back into the county.”
Jon Jones, RCBTC’s new technology coordinator, has been leading the initiative to form the coalition since he began work at RCBTC in March. Working with representatives from Rockingham Community College, the county’s school system and business community, Jones began laying the primary framework for the organization.
“Our primary goal when we first started discussing this idea was to find a way to increase awareness within the public and business communities about IT resources available right here in Rockingham County,” said Jon Jones, technology coordinator for RCBTC.
The first challenges were to find out what resources were already available within the county, how many people knew what was available and what type resources were needed but presently missing. To answer those questions, Jones placed a survey on RCBTC’s Web site and invited people living or working in the county to fill in the blanks.
“So far, the survey has seemed to validate our initial thoughts about the lack of awareness within the community,” Jones said. “There really seems to be a disconnect between the county’s IT service providers and the people and businesses in the county needing those resources.”
The survey remains active through the end of July and Jones hopes more people will take time to provide their input, giving the preliminary team enough information to build a solid foundation from which to launch the IT Coalition.
“We’re just asking for generic information, but every bit we get helps us focus our attention on the areas that need the most work,” Jones said. “We’ll use the information to identify how we can make the services already available better or provide services that are not currently available in the county.”
Once the survey is complete, the date will be compiled and reviewed by the members of the preliminary coalition. Jones hopes the information will lead them to the people who can help make the IT Coalition a successful partner with RCBTC in improving the county’s IT edge.
“We just want to identify areas of strengths or weaknesses and find people willing to take the ball and run with it to build on that information,” he said.
Jones said the coalition would provide local IT professionals with opportunities for networking and professional development.
“It will give them a place to bounce ideas off one another and see what will or will not work,” he said. “It will provide a brainstorming atmosphere where ideas can begin to take shape and find the right avenue and people to be developed into workable resources.”
One key component Jones wants to see incorporated into the IT Coalition is participation from the county’s high school and college students.
“That’s got to be one of our target groups for the coalition,” he said. “They are the future of our county and we need to tap into their thoughts and needs from the start.”
Jones views the county’s young people as the best resource for the entrepreneurship that will lead the way to the county’s future success in the information technology field.
“That’s going to help make this IT Coalition self-sustaining for years to come,” he said.
Those interested in participating in the Rockingham County Business and Technology Center survey should look above the puzzle pieces in the center of the Web site’s home page (www.rcbtc.org) for the link that reads: “Click here to take our brief IT survey.” The survey is brief and guided by the user’s answers.

News Editor Steve Lawson can be reached at slawson@reidsvillereview.com or at 548-6047.