Help The Electronic Valley

The Electronic Valley’s organizers are scheduled to have a meeting next month to brainstorm ideas about how to keep the site going. 

Launched in the fall of 1996, the regional website was one of the first of its kind.

In its early days, the site served as the only Internet home for dozens of non-profit agencies and local governments.

Internet access was an issue when it launched. Organizers used a grant to purchase 10 computers which were placed at various public spots so Valley residents could get to the site.

As technology advanced, the hosted groups have established sites of their own — and now the web is available on cell phones.

Still, the Electronic Valley has regular updates and has tons of information. It has become an online history book of the Valley during the last 14 years. Don’t believe us? Type any lower Valley issue or subject into the site’s search box and chances are you’ll find something.

Derby still uses the site as its unofficial home page — the Derby section of the site has more than 35,000 individual files, according to Jack Walsh, the Derby resident and Valley United Way president who is one of the site’s founders.

The other key players are Oxford’s John Joy and Bruce Nichols.

Now the organizers are looking for ideas — and volunteers — from the public to improve the site.

A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 14 at 6 p.m. at the Valley United Way offices at 3 Corporate Drive in Shelton.

There, Walsh said organizers will gauge public interest and decide how to proceed.

He’s hoping fresh ideas and an influx of new blood will keep the Electronic Valley relevant. 

Where do we go from here?” Walsh asked. The possibilities are endless with this.”

Click here for a quick Q & A with Joy, one of the innovators behind the Electronic Valley.

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