#PowerofRural Spotlight: Digital Economy Ecosystems
Across South Carolina, there is a growing network of “digital economy ecosystems” that are transforming rural communities into thriving centers of tech jobs and innovation.
A digital economy ecosystem features technical education, job training, and community planning to foster technology-based entrepreneurship and remote work opportunities in these rural communities.
“A successful digital economy ecosystem increases digital literacy, creates quality jobs and builds wealth in the local community,” said Paola Gutierrez, the SC Office of Rural Health’s lead strategist for this project. “We see this happening in five communities already – Williamsburg, Barnwell, Orangeburg, Newberry and Greenwood counties — and we have a vision for a network that connects every corner of the state.”
In each community, the project begins with training sessions that provide an overview of broadband technology and its applications to rural community leaders. Community stakeholders then work with the SC Rural Innovation Network (SCRIN) to develop a rural innovation roadmap that reflects the communities’ assets, competitive advantages and goals for a digital economy. The roadmap may include education, job training and leadership training in partnership with local libraries, public school systems, technical colleges, and four-year universities.
“A DEE is an interconnected system of people, programs, and structures working together to make it possible for technology-based entrepreneurs, businesses, and workers to thrive,” said Kim Bowman, founder and CEO of SCRIN. “Every community kickstarts DEE revitalization from a different starting point, but we’ve seen how the process can encourage community buy-in, attract investors, and build momentum for a new way of life.”
Barnwell and Williamsburg counties were the first two communities to embark on a two-year DEE planning and implementation project in 2020, with funding secured by the SC Office of Rural Health (SCORH) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The DEE process has resulted in new co-working spaces, summer tech institutes for middle and high school students, a program for schools to showcase STEM programs to the business and manufacturing communities, a downtown farmer’s market, new courses in drone technology and website design at Williamsburg Technical College, and expanded telehealth availability.
Additionally, Barnwell recently partnered with USC Salkehatchie to secure USDA funding to develop the Propel Business Lab, a 12-week business accelerator with 20-person cohorts in Barnwell and Allendale Counties. The program will culminate in a pitch competition with startup funding for participants. And Williamsburg’s DEE and the Digital Lane are developing an agribusiness program to introduce agricultural technology and tools, land management, access to new markets, and farm-to-table opportunities.
With a second round of USDA funding in 2021, Orangeburg was selected to embark on the DEE process, and recently completed its roadmap. A third funding award from USDA this month allows Newberry and Greenwood counties to begin the process.
“South Carolina’s growing network of DEE communities has the potential to close the rural-urban divide by creating a workforce with modern skills and a talent pipeline to follow,” Bowman said.
She said these shifts toward innovation and digital workforce development will entice people to remain in or return to their rural hometowns, where they will enjoy work/life amenities like co-working spaces, innovation centers, vibrant Main Streets, and entrepreneurial support.
Through this evolution, she sees the power of rural at work, changing the image of rural communities.
“To me, the power of rural is a mindset, a belief that our rural communities can transform their energies, abilities, and outcomes by building thriving digital economies,” Bowman said. “By working together to achieve this much-needed shift, we open more doors to more possibilities and improve every citizen’s health, happiness, and well-being along the way.”
