[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31327]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MR. TIMOTHY WILL FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN 
                             NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 9, 2009

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Timothy Will of 
Rutherfordton, North Carolina, for his exemplary service to the people 
of Western North Carolina. Mr. Will recently received the $100,000 
Purpose Prize for two local projects he has dedicated his time, energy 
and resources toward.
  Mr. Will created FarmersFreshMarket.org, a Web site that connects 
local small farmers to chefs and consumers in metropolitan areas. Many 
of these farmers were previously unemployed after textile and furniture 
factory closings in the area. FarmersFreshMarket.org opens farmers to a 
new, lucrative market and helps those in urban areas take part in the 
local food movement and reconnect to the farm to serve local, fresh, 
and seasonal fare in their homes and restaurants.
  Mr. Will also helped create the Foothills Connect Business and 
Technology Center to support local entrepreneurs and provide community 
Internet access to an area with few public computer terminals, and 
limited home and business access. With the help of grants, Foothills 
Connect wired Rutherford County's public schools with fiber optic 
connections. Foothills Connect also trained teachers how to use the 
technology, and instructed area residents on how to refurbish old 
computers to donate to low-income families.
  By creating new business opportunities and providing vital community 
services to an area hit hard by unemployment, Mr. Will is a testament 
to the spirit of entrepreneurship and community giving. I am proud to 
honor Mr. Will today, and want to thank him for his invaluable 
contributions to Western North Carolina.

                          ____________________