1. Pixley Connect: Bringing Technology to Rural Communities Pixley Connect: Bringing Technology to Rural Communities The Great Valley Center 201 Needham Street Modesto, CA 95354 In partnership with the University of California, Merced

2. PIXLEY FRESNO BAKERSFIELD

3. Why Pixley? 10 computer units with internet access available for public use 65% adults are English Language Learners 89% do not own a computer and have no access to computers in the community 91% have no basic computer skills High percentage of youth in population and a low high school graduation rate 100% perceive ‘technology’ as a tool to improve their lives and community (Survey September 2006)

4. 46 miles north of Bakersfield 64 miles south of Fresno Population: 3,000 650 households Unincorporated Limited access to vital community resources About Pixley, California

5. Tulare County is growing quickly Source: Calif. Dept. of Finance;

6. Source: Public Policy Institute of California; Calif. Dept. of Finance; 2000 Census Tulare also reflects the growing diversity of the San Joaquin Valley

7. Internet Use Among Central Valley Latinos Trails Overall Averages Latino responses to: “How often do you use the Internet or e-mail?” Source: Public Policy Institute of California, June 2006 Central Valley Survey (2,000 residents polled in English and Spanish). Available online at www.ppic.org.

8. The Challenge: Ensuring Access to Technology in rural parts of the California

9. Spring 2006: AT&T and Great Valley Center form partnership to bring high speed access and training to Pixley, California

10. Vision: To bridge rural communities in the Central Valley with technology access Mission: Promote the community’s social and economic development through education and technology training

11. Goal To promote community and economic development through technology training and education Funded by $600,000 grant from the AT & T Foundation Includes staff on the ground Community Training Center Trains local residents to be local experts

12. Pixley Connect is a three year project to be implemented in phases Phase One: Community education and training Phase Two : Community Technology Center and participation Phase 3: Pixley economic development

13. Phase One High speed internet access Community Outreach Computer literacy 5 – 8th grade parents/student program

14. Phase Two Teen leadership and training- First ‘Digital Connecters’ Team Community Services & Training Center Business survey and analysis

15. Digital Connectors: What they do The Pixley Digital Connectors help facilitate the use of broadband technology in the homes of Pixley residents. They are trained and employed to use technology and provide technical assistance and computer education.

16. Phase Three Continue Phase One and Two activities Economic Development Pixley Business Pavilion

17. “Pixley is still in the 20th century, this project will brings us closer to the 21st century” -Pixley resident Pixley, California September 2006

18. Pixley Main Street - 2006

19. Pixley Says… “Technology training means being able to get on computers in town to do research, homework and job searches without driving miles away” --Pixley student “Computers are fun and help me do homework” --4th grader “Children and adults will have the opportunity to advance themselves in the community without leaving” --Pixley resident “It’s a great project for this unincorporated community, it’ll make the younger generation more educationally advanced and connected to the rest of the world, and business will function better”. --Paula Maestas, CSET staff “It is needed, it’s about time” --Pixley resident “Pixley Connect opens a world of opportunities, from jobs to college and economic integration” --Pixley Business owner

20. More resources available at: www.greatvalley.org The Great Valley Center 201 Needham Street Modesto, CA 95354 In partnership with the University of California, Merced