VIDALIA — The Jack H. McLemore Jr. Technology Center will have an open house celebration Thursday for residents and businesses to learn more about the new building and its resource.

Mayor Buz Craft said he hoped to have many people show up and ask questions at the event from 4 to 6 p.m.

“I would like to invite everyone to come out and take a look,” Craft said. “We will be there to discuss any kind of questions about the future of communications, Internet availability, town infrastructure as far as modernizing our town utility services and the business incubator.”

Vidalia Marketing Coordinator Hannah Junkin said in addition to answering questions about the IT Center, the town would also seek to recruit people into the business incubator program.

One benefit to help entrepreneurs will be an advisory committee formed from local business leaders to help occupants with their businesses. Entrepreneurs will also be able to form a community with other occupants of the incubator.

“The hub will offer an affordable professional workspace with flexible hours available,” Junkin said. “Members of the incubator program will have access to classes such as the Entrepreneur Academy. They will also be paired with a mentor to help guide and advise them.”

The new Internet system should allow for faster upload and download speeds than existing connections. The connectivity will also benefit entrepreneurs. The Internet service would also in the future be offered to Vidalia residents and businesses.

Craft said the advanced Internet technology is another tool in Vidalia’s toolbox the town can offer people with businesses or business ideas a chance to reach the world-wide market.

“We have available space and services to set up an Internet-based business,” Craft said. “It is something big towns offer, but not a lot of small towns can.”

The $1.2 million center is located on the corner of Carter and Spruce streets. The center is named after longtime Vidalia town attorney the late Jack McLemore.