NEWBERRY, S.C. — Newberry County says it's working to establish a technology business incubator to bolster digital literacy, promote job creation, and facilitate wealth-building opportunities,
Artist Robert Matheson is no stranger to the digital world.
"A lot of artists moved to digital because galleries were closed and a lot of things were disrupted," said Matheson.
It inspired him to partner with the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce to develop a digital economy ecosystem (DEE) within the county.
The DEE would combine job training, remote work prospects, and technical education under a single roof.
"We'll definitely have wi-fi; we will have basic business needs like copying and digital printing; those types of things. And then we'll have hot desks and cold desks," said Matheson. "So you could rent a permanent office space for a meeting, or you could use it for an hour or two."
Matheson said companies or employees would pay a membership fee to help pay rent and fund different trainings.
"We just want to provide the resources and the space for like-minded people to come together and create a network that will encourage business growth, and especially related to digital skills," said Matheson.
The DEE's headquarters has set its sights on 1328 College Street, strategically located next to city hall, providing a convenient one-stop shop for aspiring entrepreneurs.
"You could go get your business license, get all those questions answered, and start your business in one day," said Matheson.
The chamber hopes to partner with Newberry College, Piedmont Technical College, and the many local businesses in town.
The funding for these DEE projects in Newberry County and across the state was secured through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and facilitated by the S.C. Office of Rural Health.
Other counties, such as Barnwell and Williamsburg, are developing their digital economy ecosystems, while Orangeburg is in its second year of the program.
"You can't have your rural communities fall behind, so making investments in fiber, investing in access to remote work, and digital skills raises the standard of living," said Matheson.
The launch of this center is projected for next year.
People interested in partnering with the program can contact the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce.