About Connecting Rural Communities 

The Connecting Rural Communities guide is designed to provide the information and tools community leaders need to identify, develop and implement projects that improve:

1. The availability of access to broadband connectivity across the community;
2. The ability of organizations in the community to use digital technology to achieve their mission and goals; and
3. The ability of individuals in the community to use digital technology to improve their social and economic well-being.

Connecting Rural Communities is sponsored and funded by the Southern Rural Development Center through their 2005 Rural E-Commerce Extension Initiative Grants Program.

Connecting Rural Communities was developed by:

• William Shuffstall - Senior Extension Educator, Penn State Cooperative Extension - shuffy@psu.edu
• Sheila Sager - Candidate for PhD in Mass Communications, The Pennsylvania State University - sss2@psu.edu
• Rae Montgomery - Extension Professor, University of Minnesota Extension - rae@umn.edu
• Dana Noonan, Internet Consultant (www.infomaven.com) under contract with University of Minnesota Extension. Dana is also the author of the Access eCommerce, Access eGovernment, Access eNonProfit, Access eInternet, and Access eBroadband tutorials.