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Networked Future
| Mission | Task Force | Research | Strategic Planning | eCommerce | Regional Portal | eGov | Links |
The Networked Future Project is one of the original six projects implemented by the Eastern Shore of Virginia Regional Partnership to improve the economic competitiveness on the Shore. The Project will achieve its mission through programs that:
- Teach businesses how to successfully incorporate eCommerce practices.
- Use the Internet to promote the Eastern Shore of Virginia as a location for businesses and as a tourist destination.
- Encourage local government to implement eGov services.
To understand the Networked Future Project, one must recognize that the world is in the midst of a communications revolution. This revolution introduces a network-driven communications medium (the internet) that is reshaping the business world. It is creating new opportunities and new risks. If we are prepared, as a region to capitalize on our inherent strengths and unique potential, we can thrive in the next century.
This project ties in with all of the other projects that are a part of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Regional Partnership. It provides ways to expand the sales of businesses, create new jobs and attract businesses and tourists. It also has the potential to impact the lives of every resident of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
The Networked Future Task Force will guide the direction of the Networked Future Project and evaluate program methods. It consists of members from education, government, civic, and business sectors. A full list of the Networked Future Task Force is available in a Microsoft Word Document.
Research
During the summer months of 2000, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office of Northampton County conducted a survey of Eastern Shore businesses with the help of the Social Science Research Center at Old Dominion University. A survey subcommittee was formed as part of the Networked Future Task Force, with Brenda Holden, MS, FCS, Senior Extension Agent, Northampton County, Virginia Cooperative Extension and chair of the Networked Future Task Force, as the Chairperson. 251 businesses in Northampton County, Accomack County and Chincoteague were contacted, with a response from 218.
This survey, created by a voluntary committee, was used to evaluate and analyze daily computer usage in business on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and to enable the Networked Future Task Force to determine at what computer skill level the local business community is currently operating. The results were used to select important topics for training and to learn what businesses need to improve productivity.
The survey was administered via personal interview or by telephone. The names and addresses were taken from ALMIS, a database acquired from the Virginia Employment Commission. A stratified random sample was drawn from groups based on the number of employees. The random sample consisted of 218 businesses representing all sizes categories from zero employees to 50-99 employees.
Eastern Shore of Virginia Demographics and Business Computer Use Survey
(Sources: Census 2000, ES EDC, Cooperative Extension 2000 Business Survey)
Strategic Planning - In 2001, the Networked Future Task Force realized the need for a Technology Strategic Plan for the Eastern Shore of Virginia. A Strategic Planning Committee and Strategic Planning Subcommittee were formed to identify needs in the community, write a 2010 Vision Statement, and set goals and objectives that will achieve the Vision. The Technology Strategic Plan 2002 - 2010 is available in a Microsoft Word Document.
ECommerce
Promoting the Use of eCommerce
The first step in increasing the sales of regional businesses through the use of e-Commerce is to convince managers and owners of the potential profits of selling online. To promote e-Commerce and educate the local community on the subject, the Networked Future Project holds educational forums and informal networking sessions.
eCommerce Forums
The goal of the E-Commerce Forums is to educate local businesses, entrepreneurs, government or any interested individuals about electronic commerce and enhance the communications services that will facilitate economic development. These Electronic Commerce Forums are being conducted at various locations on the shore. Currently, Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology (CIT), Virginia's Electronic Commerce Technology Center (VECTEC), and the Eastern Shore Regional Partnership are sponsors. The Eastern Shore Forum Board was used as a model format for other Forum Boards in the Commonwealth of Virginia. VECTEC also offers regularly scheduled forums.
eBusiness Village
As more businesses go online for transactions and customer service, the Networked Future Project will follow Southeastern Virginia's model to create an eBusiness Village. This Village will provide members with technical support, educational opportunities, and far-reaching marketing tools. It will be housed on the Eastern Shore Virginia Portal website.
Regional Portal
In November 2001, the Networked Future Project unveiled the Eastern Shore of Virginia Portal. It is an all-inclusive, online gateway to the Shore's resources, people, and places. It contains a business directory, civic organizations, community calendars, and government links. It is currently in its first phase of development. The next phase will complete the business directory, followed by the third phase, which will include online community features such as bulletin boards and email accounts. This Portal will be marketed nation-wide to attract tourists and relocating businesses and families.
eGovernment
An online community is not complete without governing bodies being accessible online as well. The Networked Future Project will use a pilot program to connect one or two small towns as a model for the rest of the towns on the Eastern Shore. The pilot program will establish an intranet for all businesses, civic, education, health care, and government entities to communicate with each other.
Links
The Official Website of the Eastern Shore of Virginia
http://www.EasternShoreVirginiaPortal.com
Eastern Shore of Virginia's Economic Development Commission
http://www.easternshore.org
Virginia's Electronic Commerce and Technology Center
Christopher Newport University
1 University Place
Newport News, VA 23606
757-594-7092
http://www.vectec.org
The PenSoft E-Business Resource Center at VECTEC
http://www.vectec.org/researchcenter/index.html
Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology
1-800-3-TECHVA
http://www.cit.org
The Main Street to e-Street Task Force
http://www.councils.cit.org/ms2es/
The Governor's Commission on Information Technology
http://www.sotech.state.va.us/gcoit/gcoit.htm
For more information about the Networked Future Project, or to become involved in your community, contact:
Brenda E. Holden, MS, FCS
Senior Extension Agent/Chair, Networked Future Task Force
Northampton County, Virginia Cooperative Extension
5432-A Bayside Road
Exmore, Virginia 23350
757-414-0731
Fax: 757-414-0745