The document announces the NC Digital Government Summit to take place on September 1, 2011 about broadband and economic development in North Carolina. It discusses how broadband can serve as an effective model for technology-based economic development (TBED) in rural areas like Rockingham County. Broadband access has helped fuel business creation, job growth, and improved economic outcomes through entrepreneurship programs and technology training initiatives supported by rural broadband.
5. Change Must Be Embraced
• As new industries develop
– Expect U.S.-based manufacturing to be short-term
– As manufacturing is systematized
• Companies seek cheap labor
– Requires us to be able to:
• Innovate
• Test the Market
• Scale Operations
QUICKLY!
• Improve Product
• Cannibalize Product
• Repeat
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6. Definition of Economic Development
• The process of stimulating private investment
through business attraction, creation, retention
and expansion (A.C.R.E.) activities.
– Source: NC Economic Development Administration
• Save My Home
– Source: RCBTC
With Economic Development
Without Economic Development
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7. Definition of TBED
Save My Home…
Using Technology Where & When
It Makes Sense…
And It Almost Always Makes Sense!
Source: RCBTC
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8. Why is ED or TBED Necessary?
• Creative Destruction
• Economic Cycles
• Growing Pains
• Improved Processes = Fewer Employees
• Automation/Technology = Fewer Employees
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9. Emerging Development
Strategies in Rural Areas
• Entrepreneurship & Self Employment
• Amenity-based Tourism (nature/culture)
• Care for the Elderly (longevity/silver economy)
• High Value Agriculture (local food)
• Renewable Energy
Source: “Driving the Great Rural Renaissance: Regional Rural Innovation
Charles W. Fluharty, President & CEO Rural Policy Research Institute; April 23, 2010
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10. Broadband as Effective TBED in
Rockingham County “in the trenches”
Gas
e-Business Training Eggs
ARRA Broadband Call Center
Cows
MBA
ED BOA Poles
Kids
Rural Broadband
REDI
Entrepreneur-Focused Technology-Enabled Future-Driven
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11. As You Embed TBED…
Do you fake it till you make it?
Measure it till they treasure it!
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