With the implementation support of netCorps' staff, the Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) of Rome, Georgia launched their enhanced website, www.coosa.org, on December 19th of this year.

The new website utilizes Plone, an open-source content management system that gives the Coosa staff complete control over the design and future development of the site. Features include a calendar of events, educational information, a secure online membership and donation payment processing system and much more.

The launch of the new website is part of a larger technology planning and enhancement effort that the Coosa River Basin Initiative has undertaken in 2005 with the help of netCorps through a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. (See "netCorps Lauches Tech Support for SE Regional Freshwater Ecosystem Conservation Groups" for more information on the project).

Joe Cook, Executive Director of CRBI, explains:

"netCorps’s assistance has been invaluable in helping us set up our new office equipment and reconfiguring existing equipment. netCorps staff visited our office twice--first evaluating our current technology (“get rid of them and replace them with new equipment” was the sound advice). After advising us in the appropriate equipment to purchase, they made a second visit to the office to set up our new equipment. Previously, our three office computers worked on different versions of basic word processing and data management software, but with the help of the netCorps grant we were able to purchase new software for all our computers. Where once we struggled to get even the simplest computer tasks completed, now our systems work seamlessly.

netCorps has also assisted us in building a new website--a task that was desperately needed. We are now able to accept online membership dues and donations as well as sell CRBI merchandise via the website. This ability will greatly increase our ability to generate funds and meet our mission."