Rural 2.0: Rural Renaissance and Digital Parity

[Commentary] The digital age and its applications has the potential to eliminate density and geographic proximity requirements, that were so critical during the industrial age. It is possible then, in the digital age, for a rural community to maintain its “rural” feel and continue to leverage its natural amenities while taking advantage of what only dense urban areas enjoyed last century. Things like access to funding (crowdfunding), worldwide markets (e-commerce), savvy employees (teleworkers) and real-time information; collaboration and innovation (videoconferencing and soon mixed reality); certain level of healthcare (telehealth); and educational opportunities (massive open online courses, online certifications).

So, what is in our way to achieve #Rural2pt0? For starters, ubiquitous ultra-fast internet connectivity. Another thing getting in the way to #Rural2pt0 are digital skills. A digital literate rural society is a must. Lastly and the most serious challenge, is that the traditional 20th century mindset still exists in rural communities. A change in mindset, that better understands the implications of the digital age, is a key ingredient for #Rural2pt0.  Digital parity is not yet a reality and so the true decentralization effect remains to be felt. So, join the #Rural2pt0 movement and contribute your part to make sure digital parity (connectivity, skills, and mindset) is a reality sooner rather than later. 

[Roberto Gallardo is assistant director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development and a senior fellow at the Center for Rural Strategies, which publishes the Daily Yonder.]