Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville) recognized Mr. Timothy Will of Rutherfordton in the Congressional Record for his efforts to bring high-speed internet access to local schools, and for his creative use of technology to connect small, local farmers with consumers and chefs in larger metropolitan areas. For his outstanding efforts, Mr. Will was recently awarded the Purpose Prize for dedicating his time, energy and resources toward these important projects. The Purpose Prize, sponsored by the non-profit Civic Venture, is a national award given to five social innovators over the age of 60.
Mr. Will saw the high unemployment rates and farming potential in the Rutherford community and created Farmers Fresh Market, an online marketplace designed to connect local small farmers to chefs and consumers in metropolitan areas. FarmersFreshMarket.org opens farmers to a new, lucrative market and helps those in urban areas take part in the local food movement and serve local, fresh, and seasonal fare in their homes and restaurants.
Approximately 90 local farmers have signed up to sell their produce on the Web site, which has sold more than $150,000 in fresh food over the past two years. The operation is planning on expanding into Buncombe and other nearby counties. “This is a jobs program,” Will said. “The key here is that farmers don’t have the time to market. We set up the market for them.”
The program has allowed local residents who became unemployed due to textile and furniture factory closings to funnel their efforts into agriculture. To help build local capacity, Mr. Will converted a vacant building into a Horticultural School and a demonstration garden.
“Mr. Will is a testament to entrepreneurship by starting new businesses and building community services on a financial shoestring,” said Congressman Shuler. “The electronic fruit and vegetable exchange created by Mr. Will’s FarmersFreshMarket.org is a shining example of how technology can expand market possibilities to local farmers.”
Mr. Will also helped create the Foothills Connect Business Technology Center to support local entrepreneurs and provide community Internet access to an area with few public computer terminals and limited home and business access. With the help of grants, Foothills Connect wired Rutherford County’s public schools with fiber optic connections. Foothills Connect also trained teachers how to use the technology, and instructed area residents on how to refurbish old computers to donate to low-income families.
Foothills Connects next project will be installing wireless broadband technology atop large water tanks that will allow the Internet to reach more isolated homes and businesses, Will said. Mr. Will generously donated the $100,000 award from the Purpose Prize to the Foothills Connection Center.
“High-speed Internet access and other technology can bring jobs and new opportunities to areas hit hard by unemployment in Western North Carolina,” Shuler said. “Foothills Connect and Mr. Will have us pointed in the right direction. I am proud to honor Mr. Will, and thank him for his contributions to our mountain area.”
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