To the Legislature, Governor and citizens of North Carolina,

North Carolina has a proud history of public leadership. Time and again, we have shown ourselves to be a people who are ready to respond to challenges. Now, as the state faces a new challenge--high speed technology--we have an opportunity to lead once again.

The North Carolina Information Highway is part of that future. This technology has offered us an exciting journey over the last few years, sometimes frustrating, often exhilarating and always instructional. Along the way, we have learned what this technology can do to improve government, and ultimately, to enhance our quality of life.

This knowledge has brought us to a crossroads--a crossroads that demands a common vision and strategy that will continue to build the state’s technological leadership. The State Controller’s Office was given the task of reviewing the highway and assessing where we’ve been, where we find ourselves today and how we can make our technological resources as productive and cost-effective as possible in the years ahead. I feel strongly that the evaluation summarized in this report will help us shape the future of our infrastructure and assure the wise investment of public funds.

The results of our evaluation have reaffirmed my belief that the information highway was—and is—the right thing to do. Our activities have produced impressive results: a statewide backbone with the capacity to transmit huge amounts of information; a network of 125 sites in operation, with 15 more on the way; a 1995 schedule of over 10,000 hours video programming; and a staff trained in managing emerging technology. If we can build on what we’ve learned in the last few years and focus our resources on the strategy outlined here, North Carolina can develop a communications network that will allow us to transform government.

I look forward to working with all parties to make this promise a reality.

Sincerely,

Edward Renfrow

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