Take Charge and the Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) Grant Initiative

Getting Rural Virginia Connected: a Vision for the Future

Rural County Take Charge Session IIDate Month, date, year

Prepared and Presented by:Jon F. JohnsonExtension Area SpecialistCommunity Technology Development

Getting Rural Virginia Connected -an Initiative of the TOP Grant

US Department of Commerce Virginia Cooperative Extension The Blacksburg Electronic Village of

Virginia Tech and the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia

Getting Communities in 9 Rural Counties Connected…

Accomack County Carroll County Graig County Cumberland

County Dickenson County

Grayson County Louisa County King and Queen

County Northampton

County

Getting Rural Virginia Connected…

Leadership training and development for citizens and local leaders through the Take Charge Process

Long term technology visioning and planning for economic growth

Virtual business incubator program for small and cottage industries

Getting Rural Virginia Connected… (continued)

Community websites can support local government and community decisions concerning social, economic, and technological development

Technical training for community website management

Community Connections program for civic groups and organizations

Take Charge an overview…

Educational program to enable leaders, residents, and the Technology Leadership Team (TLT) to examine future needs of the community

Take Charge Sessions examine…

Where are We Now? - Analyzes the current situation of the community

Where do we want to Be? Explores alternatives and creates a vision

How are we Going to Get There? Formulates strategies for technological and economic development to connect local governing bodies and community action groups with the local citizens

The Community Network

Main County Web site designed (utilizing a template) with assistance from the Blacksburg Electronic Village (BEV) with Technology Leadership Team (TLT) input

Community Web sites managed by the TLT after training from BEV

Content of the Community Network?

Issues and action plans determined from the Take Charge process

Discussion forums for online postings of individual citizen’s opinions and ideas

Interactive calendars for posting of local events

Interactive directories for business, civic groups, and the arts to link local citizens to local resources

The Role of Technology

Serves as a tool for communication among members of the community, supports local government decision making, and enhances personal, civic, and business relationships.

Improving communication infrastructure in rural communities can assist in recruiting new business, creating greater efficiencies for existing businesses, and foster new business growth from small and micro industries.

Possible Outcomes of the Initiative

Increased attendance at public meetings

A technology plan for (rural county) to address infrastructural needs for business and civic growth

Increased Internet use by citizens through a community network (electronic village) with content managed locally

Possible Outcomes (cont.)

New home-based and small business start-ups selling through the Internet

Utilization of technology and the Take Charge planning process in local decision making

Planning for regional technology corridors linking multiple communities and other grant opportunities

To Learn More

www.top.bev.netwww.bev.netwww.ecorridors.vt.edu