WSU Extension office receives funds for telecommunications equipment

The Washington State University (WSU) Extension Office located in Ritzville has recently set up telecommunication equipment in the office thanks to numerous donors in the community.

County Director Aaron Esser stated they have been attempting to get a system such as they one they recently acquired set up since they moved into their current building in April of 2014.

Esser continued by saying the group wanted to implement it while they were still in the Courthouse building but knew they didn’t have the space.

The equipment consists of two large television screens and a camera all of which links to a computer and can be connected with classrooms or meeting rooms.

The extension office needed to raise $32,000 to make this dream a reality and as of now they are only $8,000 shy of this thanks to six local groups and various private donors. The office is working on finding grants to help fund the remaining money.

Northwest Farm Credit Services supplied grant money and Umpqua Bank, the Ritzville Classic Car Club, Lincoln-Adams Crop Improvement group, Ritzville Public Development Authority and Caring Neighbors all donated funds as well.

Esser explained they really hope each of the donors or various members of the community who have provided support will be able to utilize the equipment.

As of now they face one final obstacle: broadband width. Their current Internet is not strong enough to support the streaming capacities needed for their specific goals of the set up.

They would eventually like to act as a virtual campus for those taking classes via WSU. Students will be able to view entire lectures in real time via the computer screens.

The extension office also hopes to be able to provide spaces for the hospital to come and do virtual trainings. This would enable the hospital to save funds currently used to send staff off-site for training as well as providing meals.

Esser explained he hopes these offerings will help to keep some money local even if it is just lunch for a few training participants.

The 4-H program of Lincoln, Grant and Adams Counties will benefit as trainings for volunteers to become leaders are done via Webinars. With this setup they will be able to train multiple people at once in the WSU office. This is another example where off-site training costs can be cut down drastically.

Their other goal with the equipment is to allow students doing Running Start classes to have the opportunity to use the equipment instead of driving to Big Bend Community College, Spokane or Cheney. They see this as especially important in winter months when routes to the various locations can be impacted by snow and icy conditions.

Esser explained the Adams County Commissioners are working on a contract with NoaNet to attempt an increase for all county offices Internet bandwidth. If this happens the Extension Office is hoping their equipment will function properly at that time.

On March 22, the extension office will be open for community members to come in and view the new equipment. They will be open from 4–7 p.m. and from 5:30–7 p.m. as part of the Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours event.

Esser explained he hopes the community shares input as to other uses for the telecommunication equipment they themselves have not yet thought of.