People who live in rural areas experience numerous challenges that can negatively affect the way they live, work, and play. Internet connectivity is important for rural health, rural education, rural economic development, and much more. Check out this week's episode:

1 - Internet

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/case-for-rural-broadband.pdf

2 - Rural Cell Service

https://wia.org/wp-content/uploads/WIA_RuralAmerica-2.pdf

3 - Remote work

https://remoteworkhub.com/virtual-work-can-save-rural-towns/

https://www.gov1.com/technology/articles/connecting-rural-areas-to-remote-work-pv7cC0uy8l1IEJKE/

4- Community Connect Grants

https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants

Discussion topic ideas: Topic Introduction, Hosts answer questions about what it was like before cell phones and the internet were prevalent. Rural internet statistics. Discuss how COVID highlighted that lack of internet in rural areas affected education and ability to work remotely.

Visit our Facebook page to download the Rural Communication Checklist for the rural Texans!

http://www.facebook.com/thinkruralcomm

http://www.twitter.com/thinkruralcomm

Our Social Media Scholars are:

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards, Tarleton State University

Ms. Yvonne Mulhern, Tarleton State University

Our Social Media Graduate Fellows are:

Shitara Taylor, Tarleton State University

Anna Laurent, Tarleton State University

Our Social Media Undergraduate Fellows are:

Rhiannon McClain, Tarleton State University

Magnolia Dunlap, Tarleton State University

Katelyn West, Tarleton State University

Robin Hicks, Tarleton State University