RALEIGH, NC: The North Carolina Rural Internet Access Authority, a
quasi-state government agency, has awarded a two-year PR contract to
Richard French & Associates to educate citizens about the value of the
internet.
The campaign, "e-NC," ends December 31, 2003, when the state agency
disbands, as designated by the legislature. Richard French, president of
the firm, said the state government then has the option to fold the
authority into an existing agency.
The $1.4 million PR contract is part of a $30 million
effort to encourage residents, particularly those in rural areas, to
embrace the internet as a way of improving the quality of their lives.
Four to six "telecenters" will be established in rural areas that will
provide high-speed access at no cost to residents who do not have home
computers.
RF&A is building awareness through grant and award publicity. West &
Vaughn, a wholly owned and recently acquired subsidiary of RF&A, will
handle the public service component of the new campaign.
