On Friday February 11, 2022 the Shenandoah Computer Center closed permanently. Beginning March 14, 2022 the services provided at the computer center will be available at 507 First Street (Formerly the Old Mill Building).
Services that will be provided at the Former Old Mill Building will be photo printing, copying, printing services and laminating and faxing services. Please note that there will no longer be any computers to use.
Some contribute the popularity of smart phones as to the decline in computer center usage lately.
The Shenandoah Community Library will have computers for public use, and they also provide free WiFi. There is also free WiFi located on First Street from the trailer parked beside Boxcar Deli.
You may be wondering what will be happening to the space that the old computer center occupied. From the November 9, 2021Shenandoah council meeting under Streets and Public Property we read “Councilman Jenkins asked if Chief Davis would want use of the bottom level where the Computer Center is located?
Chief Davis stated he would like to use the bottom level for a training room, command post, kitchenette area, and two offices. He would then free up an area upstairs to have a designated interview room with audio and video recording which is a requirement.
Councilman Jenkins asked if there would be any up towards the front where Joyce had her desk?
Chief Davis stated there would be no one up front, it would be just like evenings, holidays, and weekends now where there is no one up front. If no one is in the building, it is locked and there is a sign on the door with a number to call to reach an officer.
Councilman Jenkins asked if Chief Davis would keep the projector and screen at the Computer Center?
Chief Davis stated that Joyce Fluharty was taking the projector, but he has another and a screen he could use.”
History of the Computer Center:
The Shenandoah Computer Center opened on March 7, 2005 at 411 Second Street. In the fall of 2003, Shenandoah received a $643,000 rural development grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The grant was to improve Internet access in rural communities. Bruce Arnold and Gary Patterson were some of the volunteer instructors at the Shenandoah Computer Center. Betty Knowles also served as a volunteer Assistant Instructor. By continually adding services the Shenandoah Computer Center grew from a simple computer lab to a full-fledged print shop and learning center by February 2013.
Joyce Fluharty the center’s supervisor and IT specialist performed "Armchair" Genealogy Research, performed genealogy classes and has published several books to include Shenandoah Iron Works 1836 -1866 and Field Methodist Church Cemetery burials dating from 1841.
The Computer Center won The Innovation in Utilization Award in May 2017. See our article at
Below link.
Innovation in Utilization Award
The Computer Center also won the 2015 Virginia Municipal League Achievement Award. See article at the below link.
2015 Virginia Municipal League Achievement Award
Did you know that the building that housed the Shenandoah Police Department and Computer Center was once home to the Shenandoah Jail? Follow link below for our article and pictures about the Shenandoah Jail at our link below.
Our article about The Shenandoah Jail:
The Old Mill Building at 507 First Street Shenandoah Virginia.
All Articles and photograhps provided by Amos Thomas at Shenandoah Newz.com
shenandoah-photographer-self-publishes-pictorial-history-book. Click link below to learn more about this exciting book >Shenandoah The Thomas Family Collection.
