Secretary of state visits Hardin County, presents library grant

­­­­­­May 13– Hardin County is one of more than 70 communities across Tennessee receiving grants to upgrade technology at rural libraries.

The grants total more than $1.2 million.

Hardin County today received $15,138.

"Libraries in rural areas play an especially important role in connecting citizens with the resources and opportunities that are oftentimes isolated to urban areas," said Secretary of State Tre Hargett, who made the check presentation at the Hardin County Library.

"These grants will go a long way toward providing vital access to computers and the Internet, which is particularly helpful in some of the areas that were hit the hardest by the recession," he said.

Grants may be used to cover costs for computer equipment, new training, educational opportunities, Internet access and other enhancements approved by the USDA. The local library will use the funds for a mobile computer lab, along with furniture, networking, wiring and instructional hours.

"When people have trouble getting Internet connections or cannot afford a home computer, our public library fills a void," said state Rep. Vance Dennis.

"These grants will help people access information on employment opportunities, job training, small business development and education here in Hardin County," said state Sen. Dolores Gresham.

"This will help level the playing field in the job market," she said, "and eliminate the need for some people to drive to big cities to get Internet access."

The funding is the product of a partnership between the Office of the Secretary of State, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in a quest to strengthen rural communities by developing libraries.