E-NC Authority Seeks More Funds

RALEIGH — A state organization that was originally created in 2000 under a temporary status, but was extended two years ago, has used up its original $30 million allocation and now wants $2 million more from the state to stay afloat. The E-NC Authority, formerly the Rural Internet Access Authority, is running low on operating funds and wants to extend its life beyond the current requirement that it cease activity on Dec. 31, 2006. Jane Smith Patterson, executive director of E-NC, supports a new bill that would fund $1 million more over the next two years for operations, and another $1 million to create two new regional "telecenters