About CANA

CANA's mission is to serve as a regional resource for the deployment of high speed internet access networks in underserved rural communities throughout the Appalachian region and to provide technical, operational and educational support so that these communities can take full advantage of the opportunities for economic, educational and social progress.

The economic mission of CANA is to create individual, economic self-sufficient and self-operating networks. CANA will provide the network hardware and technical and managerial assistance; the communities will be responsible for operating and maintaining the system.

The vision of CANA is to create a network of similarly connected rural sites. This network of sites should create considerable economies and efficiencies of scale for the communities, states and region. This "network effect" will help create cooperation and coordination of efforts across geographic boundaries. We believe
  1. that the individual sites communities will benefit from the installation of high speed access
  2. that the individual sites working in concert with neighboring sites will benefit from regional development strategies and
  3. that the entire community of CANA sites will benefit from cooperative purchase/sale agreements, best practice development and knowledge sharing.


Appalachian International Fine Arts Show:
It is not out of the ordinary to see Roger Besselievre out along the roadside during a cold January day collecting honeysuckle for his weavings or to pass by Kristen Blake and Jodie Schemel and over hear a conversation about how Kristen is trying to paint "Jasmine" in motion and how Jodie is researching Marcel Duchamp the famous artist.
Welcome to the central Appalachian region. Works of art produced here represent a plethora of expressions and beliefs, ranging from the untaught to the academic or the traditional to the conceptual.

D. Duane Chapman, Department of Fine Arts, Chair
Glenville State College, West Virginia

The Appalachian International Art show is a milestone in the expanding relationship between CANA and Central West Virginia. CMU students and faculty have lived and worked in Glenville for the last two summers setting up high speed internet. CANA now embarks with its partners, Braxton and Gilmer Counties, on a wide area network deployment.
We mark this occasion with the Appalachian International Fine Arts Show.
Stay connected, more to follow.

S. John Whitehill, Center for Appalachian Network Access
Carnegie Mellon University