High speed Internet key for rural entrepreneurship

Over at the Washington Post Small Business Blog, Sharon McLoone recently posted an interview with Deborah Markley, head of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship.

Markley discussed the importance of information technology -- like high speed Internet -- in fostering small business growth in rural America. For example, the Internet can overcome geography-related problems like a lack of networking opportunities; a small customer base; and isolation from services like banks, consultants, and venture capital firms.

But as Markley noted,

"While the Internet has cut that challenge, many of these places are still using dial-up Internet and having to rely on satellite communications."

...

"There's a tremendous need to build capacity in rural regions to better serve entrepreneurs and we don't have really good ways of getting information, resources or money to rural entrepreneurs."

The Speed Matters blog has writtenagain and again about the importance of high speed Internet for the economic development of rural America. But in order to successfully break down the geographical barriers hindering growth in these areas, we need a dedicated effort from federal, state, and local governments along with the private sector to build the necessary infrastructure.

In addition to the technology challenges facing rural small businesses, Markley also cited another key CWA issue hindering entrepreneurship in rural areas: health care. The problem, she argued, is that would-be entrepreneurs are reluctant to quit their current jobs out of fear of losing their health coverage.

It's clear that high speed Internet and universal health care are pre-requisites for us to take full advantage of the American people's entrepreneurial potential in the digital age.

RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship.

Starting Up Down on the Farm is a Communal Effort (Washington Post Small Business Blog)

Agricultural summit highlights high speed possibilities (Speed Matters)

FCC Commissioners stress benefits of high speed for small businesses

Brookings Institute links high speed internet to economic growth

Health Care Voices (CWA)