1. Rural Economic Development Update (Focus on Broadband) Brian Whitacre Associate Professor & Extension Economist OSU Ag Econ 5-19-2014

2. Agenda 1.Online Sources of information for: Broadband availability Broadband adoption 2.Recent research on broadband & the rural economy 3.E-commerce workshops: current (and future)

3. 1. Online Data Sources for Broadband Broadband Availability – National Broadband Map (www.broadbandmap.gov)www.broadbandmap.gov Type in an address and see what type of broadband is available - Data updated every 6 months - Currently as of June 2013

4. National Broadband Map Explore how your county / community ranks in terms of broadband availability! Access to Wired BB Technology

5. National Broadband Map Or, select “Explore the Maps” to zoom in on an area around you Select Technology Type DSL Cable

6. National Broadband Map Also includes Mobile Wireless Coverage… – Is this realistic? You tell me…

7. National Broadband Map Can also look at speeds available, or number of broadband providers (select at bottom) > 3 MBPS> 10 MBPS

8. National Broadband Map GIS data also available

9. 1. Online Data Sources for Broadband Broadband Adoption – Federal Communication Commission Data – http://transition.fcc.gov/wcb/iatd/comp.html http://transition.fcc.gov/wcb/iatd/comp.html County & Tract-level data (about halfway down page) Categorical Adoption Data: 0-20% 20-40% 40-60% 60-80% 80-100%

10. FCC Adoption Data Household Broadband Adoption Data is also available at the Census Tract level

11. 2. Research Update 100+ page report: – Quantifying the “Digital Divide” – What impedes broadband adoption in rural areas – Broadband’s contribution to economic health in rural areas

12. 2. Research Update

13. Household Broadband Adoption Rates by Metro/NM Status, 2003 and 2010 The Metro / Non-metro “Digital Divide”

14. 2. Research Update

15. Factors Impacting Rural Broadband Adoption What is Driving Broadband Adoption at the COUNTY Level? + Impact: education, income, population, (though not in non-core counties); high concentrations of jobs in real estate / information - Impact: share of non-farm proprietors, race / ethnic categories (only in non-core) Availability Measures Impacting Adoption High # Providers (>6) Low # Providers (<3) Low Download Speed (<3-6mbps) 2010 High Download Speed (>10 mbps) Low Download Speed (<3-6mbps) 2011

16. 2. Research Update Broadband and the Rural Economy Income Grew FasterUnemployment Grew Slower We compared rural counties that had high levels of broadband adoption (60+%) with otherwise similar rural counties that did not…

17. 2. Research Update Broadband and the Rural Economy Lost More FirmsLost More Jobs We also compared rural counties that had low levels of broadband adoption (<40%) with otherwise similar rural counties that did not…

18. 2. Research Update What about rural counties that saw increased broadband adoption between 2008 and 2011? Increases in broadband adoption had a positive impact on changes in median household income and total employment (analysis limited to non-metro counties) Particularly impressive – focuses on only recent adoption and over a short period of time No impacts on economic health indicators when using change in residential providers rather than broadband adoption

19. 3. E-commerce Workshops Extension program focused on small businesses trying to build their web presence Partner with Rural Enterprises, Inc (REI) – Often team up with local chambers / banks / technology centers Started in 2007, has progressed yearly… Won AAEA Extension award in 2013

20. 3. Current OSU E-commerce Workshops WorkshopLengthComputers Needed? Avg # of Attendees Workshops / Attendees to Date Small Business Websites Planning out your website Website Building 101 Actually building a site using templates 3 hoursYes10-1518 / 310 PayPal 101 Implementing PayPal Actually installing PayPal on an example site Other PayPal tips & tricks 3 hoursYes10-1515 / 170 Ins and Outs of Online Storefronts Getting started selling online Primer for Amazon / Yahoo / eBay / etsy stores Pros and cons of each option 3 hoursYes10-2010 / 120 Search Engine Optimization 5 proven techniques for SEO Pay-per-click advertising Social media basics, including Facebook ads Installing and using Google Analytics 3 hoursYes10-1520 / 250

21. Future OSU E-commerce Workshops(?) These HAVE NOT been developed yet… feedback on additional topics appreciated! – Websites for the small screen (i.e. smartphones) – Selling directly on Facebook – Others??