POMEROY — Meigs is one of five Appalachian Ohio counties where the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD) is partnering with Connect Ohio to offer free computer training to area adults.

The other four counties are Clermont, Coshocton, Fairfield and Lawrence.

The emphasis of the program, according to a news release from COAD, is to offer the Every Citizen Online (ECO) free basic computer and Internet training program to residents of those five Appalachian Ohio counties.

Through this collaborative effort, area adults will learn how to connect in ways many of us take for granted. Participants of the program will also be eligible to take advantage of discounted Internet service and computer purchases.

“We are pleased to partner with Connect Ohio in bringing greater opportunities to people in our communities,” said Ronald Rees, executive director of COAD. “Too often, progress leaves people in rural areas behind, and this initiative will assist them greatly in moving into the Internet age.”

As an ECO partner organization, COAD received 48 new computers to equip several training location computer labs, including 24 new laptop computers to create two mobile labs.

The computer and Internet basic training is a natural fit for the organization’s community and education services, with coursework that includes six hours of training covering computer basics, an introduction to the Internet and an overview of the many benefits of using the Internet, according to Rees.

Area adults taking advantage of the ECO training are eligible to receive home broadband service specials and discounts toward computer purchases (starting at $119) from partner companies supporting the broadband training initiative, he added.

Classes are forming now. In Meigs County they will be held at the Pomeroy Branch of the Meigs County District Public Library located at 216 West Main St., Pomeroy. Interested residents can register by calling (800) 807-9781.

Other locations where classes will be held are as follows:

Briggs Lawrence County Public Library with registration at (800) 807-9781 at the four branches, Chesapeake Branch, 11054 County Road 1, Chesapeake; Ironton Branch, 321 South Fourth Street, Ironton; Proctorville Branch, 410 Elizabeth Street, Proctorville; and South Point Branch, 317 Solida Road, South Point.

Coshocton County Department of Job & Family Services, Registration (800) 295-7497, 725 Pine Street, Coshocton.

Fairfield County BDD Opportunity Center, Registration (800) 807-9781, 4465, Coonpath Road NW, Carroll.

Work One of Clermont County, Registration: (800) 807-9781, 756 Old State Route 74, Cincinnati.

It was emphasized in the program material that any Ohio adult is eligible to complete the free training.

“We are privileged to partner with the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development and to fulfill the vital need of basic computer training in areas we haven’t yet been able to service,” said Stu Johnson, executive director of Connect Ohio. “Partnering with this well-established community organization is extending ECO training to Appalachian Ohioans who want to improve their computer skills and advance their education and job-readiness.”

More than 32,000 adults have already participated in the Every Citizen Online training since it launched. The training is offered at 250 locations throughout the state. A full list of training locations can be found at http://connectohio.org/training-facilities or by calling 1-855-NOW-I-CAN (669-4226). Additional information on Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development

Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a leading technology organization committed to bringing affordable high-speed Internet and broadband-enabled resources to all Ohioans. Connect Ohio effectively raises the awareness of the value of broadband and works to improve technology access, adoption, and use through its programs.

Connect Ohio is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio’s communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org. Follow Connect Ohio on Facebook and Twitter.