About Connecting Communities

The Connecting Communities guide is designed to provide the information and tools community leaders need to identify, develop and implement projects that improve:

1. The availability of access to broadband connectivity across the community;
2. The ability of organizations in the community to use digital technology to achieve their mission and goals; and
3. The ability of individuals in the community to use digital technology to improve their social and economic well-being.

Connecting Communities is sponsored and funded by the Southern Rural Development Center through their 2005 Rural E-Commerce Extension Initiative Grants Program.

Connecting Communities was developed by:

• William Shuffstall - Senior Extension Educator, Penn State Cooperative Extension - shuffy@psu.edu
• Sheila Sager - Candidate for PhD in Mass Communications, The Pennsylvania State University - sss2@psu.edu
• Rae Montgomery - Extension Professor, University of Minnesota Extension - rae@umn.edu
• Dana Noonan, Internet Consultant (http://www.infomaven.com) under contract with University of Minnesota Extension. Dana is also the author of the Access eCommerce, Access eGovernment, Access eNonProfit, Access eInternet, and Access eBroadband tutorials.

Connecting Communities was updated in 2011 by:

• William Shuffstall - Senior Extension Educator, Penn State Cooperative Extension - shuffy@psu.edu
• Monica L. Babine, Senior Associate, Program for Digital Initiatives Division of Governmental Studies & Services, Washington State University Extension & College of Liberal Arts - babinem@wsu.edu
• Andy Lewis, Community and Economic Development Manager for the Building Community Capacity through Broadband (BCCB) initiative, University of Wisconsin Extension - andy.lewis@uwex.edu