The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative

Register now for NACDEP pre-conference workshop "E-commerce and More: Community Development through Digital Engagement"

If you are attending the upcoming National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals conference, consider joining us for the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative pre-conference workshop focusing on using digital technology to engage your local community and businesses.

"E-commerce and More: Community Development through Digital Engagement"
May 20, 2012
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Park City, UT

Since 2003, the Southern Rural Development Center has been developing and gathering extension curricula related to digital technology and e-commerce. These curricula have been incorporated into online learning modules that can be used by county educators. Some modules can be held in a single workshop, while others require a series of meetings.

Open to all NACDEP members, this pre-conference workshop will include a brief overview of all the curricula, but will focus specifically on four high-priority topics. The workshop will include hands-on computer time, broken into two distinct sessions:

• Community Development (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

- Connecting Communities: Using Digital Technology to Achieve Goals and Improve Well-being
- Web Presence Strategies for Small Communities and Local Governments

• Economic Development (Noon – 4 p.m.)
- Electronic Retailing: Selling on the Internet
- Direct Marketing of Food and Specialty Products Online

Participants can attend one session or both. Lunch will be provided for all attendees. Seating is limited, and registration is required.

Scholarships

The SRDC is providing a limited number of $500 scholarships to cover partial travel expenses (airfare/hotel) for NACDEP members from the Southern and 1890 Regions. Participants awarded a scholarship would be expected to incorporate at least one of the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative modules into their work plan over the following year. To apply, please send a brief (300 word) description of your background in community development work, an overview of the community or region you plan to work with, and why they are a good fit for this program. Applications or questions should be sent to:
Dr. Dave Lamie
dlamie@clemson.edu

Register now for NACDEP pre-conference workshop "E-commerce and More: Community Development through Digital Engagement"

If you are attending the upcoming National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals conference, consider joining us for the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative pre-conference workshop focusing on using digital technology to engage your local community and businesses.

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The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative Awards More Mini-Grants

On August 8, 2011 the Initiative's advisory board selected two mini-grant applicants and one educational resource applicant to receive funding for their e-commerce activities.

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Getting Connected

Mississippi is getting on the broadband wagon. While currently Mississippi residents have the lowest broadband (high speed) Internet usage rate in the country—about 60 percent—the Mississippi Broadband Connection Coalition (MBBC) aims to help more Mississippians get high-speed Internet connections.

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Building Quality e-Commerce Educational Resources to Support Extension Programming

The Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC), in partnership with NIFA/USDA and the Regional Rural Development Centers, is pleased to announce a new round of funding for its e-commerce competitive grants program.

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The Initiative's Role in Rural Broadband Adoption Featured in Choices

Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm and Resource Issues releases a themed issue, with Guest Editor James Barnes, focusing on broadband expansion into rural areas. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the United States will spend almost $12 billion dollars to develop infrastructure and provide education to encourage rural adoption of high-speed Internet or broadband.

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e-Commerce Trainings

News Archive

Information

The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative has concluded the 2009 fall Webinar Series. These Webinars were designed for Extension educators, economic development professionals and other interested parties who have a desire to work with local leaders, citizens, and organizations to build a strong, vibrant plan for introducing and effectively using broadband in their communities. The Fall 2009 Webinar Series spotlighted newly developed online learning curricula. Participation in the Webinar Series was highly recommended for those Extension Educators interested in applying for the Implementation Mini–Grants Program.


Recent Webinar Series (2009)

A Beginner’s Guide to e-Commerce:
Easy Tools for Profit
October 29, 2009 (Archived Webinar)

Web site Basics: A Primer for Hispanic
Small Businesses
November 19, 2009 (Archived Webinar)

Marketing Food Specialty Products Online
December 3, 2009 (Archived Webinar)

Electronic Retailing: Selling on the Internet
December 10, 2009 (Archived Webinar)


For more information and archives on the Webinar Series, please visit our Webinar page.