Getting Rural VA Connected: Communities Engaged Through Technology

Success Stories

 Speakers:
Pam Gibson and Alinda Uzel
540-231-9405
pgibson@vt.edu
auzel@vt.edu
Virginia Tech
This project incorporated the expertise gained over the years by the Blacksburg Electronic Village (our country's most "connected" community) and the potential for several rural counties across the State to implement community networks in order to address identified problems with communication, connection to available resources and, eventually, support from the economy from within. Discover techniques used (with a focus on one of the involved rural counties, King & Queen) to learn how citizens from all walks of life, community sectors, ages and socio-economic groups - under the leadership of local Extension professionals - joined forces to plan, develop and implement their community electronic village. See how it is progressing as a basis for internal economic growth and support as well as looking to the future development of e-businesses. Increased benefits area a sense of connectedness, increased pride in community, increased communication between government and citizens, increased knowledge of local businesses and attractions, greater involvement by youth, and movement toward development and support for home-based business, agri-tourism and micro-enterprise.

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For more information about the conference, contact the conference co-chairs: Cindy Bigger, cbigger@umn.edu, (888) 241-0843, or Rick Maurer, richard.maurer@uky.edu, (859) 257-7582.

For questions, comments or concerns about the 2006 NACDEP Conference website, contact emilye@srdc.msstate.edu.