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 E-Commerce Extension Initiative
The economic foundation of rural America has experienced dramatic changes over the past two decades. These changes have made it increasingly important for rural businesses to use e-commerce strategies to strengthen their economic health and stability, improve their market share and catapult the efficiency of their products and services. In response to these changes, the Southern Rural Development Center, in partnership with CSREES/USDA, administers the National E-Commerce Extension Initiative. This initiative, launched in 2003, is addressing various factors that will dictate the adoption and diffusion of e-commerce innovations in rural areas. These factors include such topics as whether rural areas have the technology in place to embrace e-commerce applications, whether these businesses understand how e-commerce can benefit their operations, and whether Extension educators have the resources to provide adequate educational support to small businesses. Mississippi State University Extension Service, the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service and the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service were initially funded as pilot projects. In latter years a small grants program has been initiated, and seven projects funded over the course of 2005 and 2006. Links >> Advisory Committee |
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Advancing E-Commerce Strategies for Small Businesses
