NIF releases economic security report
The National Issues Forums has released a new report, "Public Thinking about Economic Security: How Should We Take Charge of Our Future," that analyzes the results of a series of citizen discussions about economic security that took place from Sept. 2010 to April 2011 in 33 states, including nine from the Southern region. Find out what these citizens thought about self-disciplined spending, supporting local businesses and our national debt. Download the full report.
USDA invites applications for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is accepting applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).
Read More | January 23, 2012
Investing in mobile broadband will promote job growth
Rural Cellular Association Leading reports that economists Rob Shapiro and Kevin Hassett released a study, which shows that investments and innovation in the transition from 3G to 4G technologies could add more than 231,000 new jobs to the U.S. economy in less than a year.
Read More | January 23, 2012
SRDC pilots ReadyCommunity disaster preparedness initiative
Six communities across the country will serve as pilot sites for ReadyCommunity, a national initiative led by the Southern Rural Development Center to assist rural places with disaster planning and response.
Read More | January 11, 2012
Nominations for 2012 Bonnie Teater Community Development Award due March 2
This year's Bonnie Teater Community Development Educator Lifetime Achievement Award will honor an administrator, specialist or agent in the Southern Region who has made significant contributions to the Extension community development for at least 10 years. Named in honor of Ms. Teater, an SRDC staff member for more than 30 years, the award comes with a $500 stipend. Nomination deadline is Friday, March 2, 2012. Get complete nomination process information at http://srdc.msstate.edu/funding/bonnieteater/.
Read More | January 11, 2012
National e-Commerce Extension Initiative Learning Center features updated direct marketing curriculum
An updated, dynamic version of the Direct Marketing Food Specialty Products learning module is now available at the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative Learning Center.
Read More | December 15, 2011

