SRDC PRIORITY ISSUE #5
Explore the Role of E-Commerce as a Vehicle for Advancing the Economic Well Being of Small Business Establishments in Rural Areas, and Examine the Application of Information Technology for Promoting E-Government Activities in Rural America

Information technology (IT) is introducing a new world of possibilities to rural America. Thanks to the Internet, many remote rural areas can now gain access to information located anywhere across the world. Unfortunately, not all communities or businesses are positioned to become full players in the digital economy. The SRDC will provide leadership to advancing e-commerce efforts in the Southern region and beyond, especially for small businesses located in rural areas. Moreover, it will explore key elements associated with e-government and e-community programs being facilitated by land-grant Extension educators in the United States.

Planned Activities:

Extension Programs and Products

National E-Commerce Task Force. The SRDC Director will continue to serve on the national ECOP Rural Development/E-Commerce Task Force established to guide rural economic development work that promotes the use of e-commerce strategies as a mechanism for expanding markets and strengthening business management activities. This will include efforts to develop educational information for dissemination through the land-grant system to inform Extension educators of the programs and products available to support rural economic development/e-commerce efforts in their states.

E-Strategies for Rural Businesses, Governments and Communities. The majority of rural businesses today employ less than 10 persons. Thus, an important economic development strategy for rural places is to strengthen the economic health and stability of these small firms. One critical avenue now available to small businesses for improving their market share and efficiency of their products or services is e-commerce. Over the coming fiscal year, the SRDC will develop a comprehensive inventory of land-grant research and applied products addressing e-commerce related topics. In addition, the SRDC will identify educational resources and begin investing in training programs that will assist Extension educators in their work to promote e-commerce with small rural firms, as well as e-government and e-community efforts in rural localities.

Resources:

The Rural E-Commerce Extension Initiative: A National Demonstration Project

E-Commerce: Impacting The Way We Do Business!

Measuring Rural Diversity (Conference Proceedings)