Digital Deliverance: Dragging Rural America, Kicking and Screaming, Into the Information Economy

by Judson C. Edwards

Overview

This book offers a practice-based approach to developing strategies for utilizing broadband telecommunications for rural economic development. Edwards addresses four key questions in the publication: 1) How important is broadband telecommunications in the achievement of rural economic development success in the information-based economy? 2) What are the critical factors in assessing the potential of rural communities to utilize broadband telecommunications for economic development? 3) What policy trends are proposed to assist communities in the advancement of telecommunication-based economic development strategies? And 4) How can local leadership assist in the implementation of broadband for economic development success? By answering these important questions, Edwards provides the reader a step-by-step, practice-oriented framework for implementing a rural economic development planning strategy through the implementation of broadband telecommunications. Broadband connectivity is vital for rural communities to be actively engaged in the global information economy, but being connected is not enough. Utilization of technology is required if communities want to increase their potential for economic development success.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761845522
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	08/16/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Judson C. Edwards, Ph.D. is an associate professor of economics and director of the Center for International Business in the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University, Troy Campus. Edwards is a member of the editorial board of Community Development: Journal of the Community Development Society and the senior editorial advisor for Applied Research in Economic Development.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 List of Figures
Chapter 2 List of Tables
Chapter 3 Foreword
Chapter 4 Preface
Chapter 5 I. Introduction
Chapter 6 II. Broadband Telecommunications: The Interstate Highway of the 21st Century
Chapter 7 III. Federal and State Broadband Policies: Shaping the Prospect of Economic Development in Rural America
Chapter 8 IV. Beyond Access: A Cluster Approach to Broadband Telecommunications-Based Rural Economic Development Planning
Chapter 9 V. Local Leadership and Policy in Broadband Telecommunications-Based Rural Economic Development Planning
Chapter 10 VI. Conclusion
Chapter 11 Appendices
Chapter 12 References

What People are Saying About This

Troy Messenger

...Edwards provides economic developers and policy makers with a practical way to apply technology in rural communities for economic benefits.
— Holli Keaton

Editorial Reviews

"...Edwards provides economic developers and policy makers with a practical way to apply technology in rural communities for economic benefits."

Troy Messenger - Holli Keaton