Getting Rural Virginia Connected: a Vision for the Future A TOP Grant Initiative Craig County – April 28, 2003 Prepared by: Jon F. Johnson Extension Area Specialist Community Technology Development

What is TOP? Technology Opportunities Program The potential for a higher quality of life in rural Virginia!

Getting Rural Virginia Connected - an Initiative of the TOP Grant US Department of Commerce Virginia Cooperative Extension The Electronic Village of Virginia Tech and the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia Nine rural counties across the Commonwealth

Getting Rural Communities Connected in… Accomack County Carroll County Craig County Cumberland County Dickenson County Grayson County Louisa County King and Queen County Northampton County

Take Charge an overview… Educational program to enable leaders, residents, and the Technology Leadership Team (TLT) to examine future needs of the community Create an analysis of the community Examine alternatives Formulate strategies for technological and economic development to connect local governing bodies and community action groups with the local citizens

Take Charge Sessions examine… Where Are We Now? - Analyze of 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 with content management by assistance from the Electronic Village (BEV) with individual community information and input Community Web sites managed by the Technology Leadership Team (TLT)

Fully-featured Web Sites accounts and mailing lists Discussion forums for civic discussions Interactive calendars Interactive directories for business, civic groups, and the arts Virtual business incubator program for home- based and small businesses

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.

Possible Outcomes Increased attendance at public meetings A technology plan for Craig County to address infrastructural needs for business and civic growth Increased Internet use by citizens Community network with local content management

Possible Outcomes (cont.) New home-based and small business start-ups selling through the Internet Continued utilization of technology and Take Charge planning process in local decision making Planning for regional technology corridors linking multiple communities (i.e. e- corridors project)

Resources

Community Connections program from BEV (for Civic groups and Churches) $20/year for non-profit groups Web site (20 MB), 2 addresses and a electronic mailing list (list serv)

BEV Services Web site Design BEV will work with you to design and develop the web site Training on how to maintain the web site will also be provided Web site hosting (on BEV servers) 125 megs of server disk space Server administration, nightly backups, complete statistics reporting, and full text search engine