The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative
eNews: The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative

Educational Resource Grant Opportunities – Recipients and Important Updates


Remember, the evaluation of the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative, conducted by the University of Florida, is ongoing. Please help us by filling out any surveys you may have received from the UF team. The preliminary results of the evaluation will be released late summer 2012.

In addition, a group of Extension colleagues is in the process of reorganizing the variety of e-commerce and broadband products developed by the SRDC under the banner of its National e-Commerce Extension Initiative. The plan is to sequence the variety of topics covered in these curriculum products into a more logical and integrated fashion. This important effort is being coordinated by Rae Montgomery, retired Extension educator from the University of Minnesota.

back to top

Related Information and Resources

Two Special E-Commerce/Broadband Meetings Set For the 2012 NACDEP Conference

For members of the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) attending this year's annual conference in Park City, Utah, please make note of two important e-commerce-related activities.

  • Sunday, May 20 — A pre-conference workshop, " E-commerce and More: Community Development through Digital Engagement," will showcase four key e-commerce curricula available for use by Extension educators and other across the nation.
  • Wednesday, May 23 –Thursday, May 24 — The second event is for Extension educators and partners who are actively involved in broadband education and adoption activities through funding from the National Telecommunication and Information Administration or other federal or state sources. The event begins at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the conclusion of the NACDEP sessions.

If you are interested in taking part in either or both of these meetings, please notify Bo Beaulieu at ljb@srdc.msstate.edu or Roberto Gallardo at robertog@srdc.msstate.edu.

New e-Government Curriculum Now Available

A new learning module, "eStrategies for Local Governments: Getting Your Communities Online," is now available in the Learning Center, with PowerPoint presentations and a facilitator's guide coming in early April. Whether communities are seeking to upgrade their existing presence on the World Wide Web, or if they are discussing the concept for the very first time, this course serves as a launching point to learn more about:

  • Internet usage trends
  • The process of developing a website on a community level
  • Types of "community" websites
  • Website management (ownership and hosting, design, content, construction)
  • Effectively marketing your community online

Check it out!

Check Out the Updated Broadband Map

The FCC and NTIA have updated their broadband map with June 2011 data. Data includes the number of providers, upload/download advertised speeds, and other broadband related data at the block group level. To download the data, go here. To use the interactive map, go here.

back to top

Virtual Inventors & Entrepreneurs Network

Virtual Inventors & Entrepreneurs Network: Please Join

Please help spread the word about the virtual Inventors & Entrepreneurs Network and help this Extension-based group receive funding from the Knight News Challenge Grant program! This platform allows entrepreneurs, educators, and economic development professionals talk to each other across state lines in a dynamic and active environment. For more information on how you can help, please read more here.

back to top

eNews is a bimonthly electronic newsletter produced by the Southern Rural Development Center. To unsubscribe from eNews, please e-mail meaghang@srdc.msstate.edu and type "unsubscribe eNews" in the subject line.