Getting Rural Virginia Connected: a Vision for

Louisa County

An Initiative of the Technologies Opportunities

Program (TOP)

Prepared by:Jon F. Johnson

Extension Area SpecialistCommunity Technology Development

Contributions: Connie S. LawsExtension Agent, Louisa County

Getting Rural Virginia Connected -an Initiative of the TOP Grant US Department of Commerce Virginia Cooperative Extension The Electronic Village of Virginia Tech and

Blacksburg, Virginia (BEV) The contributions of nine rural counties

across the Commonwealth

The Community NetworkLEV – the Louisa Electronic Village

Provide leaders and citizens with tools to help their community be a vibrant and more desirable place to live, work, and play

Build capacities in communities to take control of and use technology effectively

Improve local economic conditions while including citizens in the decision-making process

Managed by the volunteers of the Louisa Technology Leadership Team (TLT)

Features of LEV for Connecting the People of Louisa County… E-mail accounts and a list serve Discussion forums for online civic dialogue Interactive calendars Interactive directories for business, residents,

civic groups, and the arts Educational workshops and ongoing training Virtual business incubator program for home-

based and small businesses including web hosting and design assistance

Possible Outcomes from LEV Increased attendance at public meetings Increased Internet use by citizens driving

demand for better infrastructure A grassroots technology plan for Louisa

County to address infrastructural needs for business and civic growth

Possible Outcomes from LEV (2)

Community network with continued local content management

Continued utilization of technology and enhanced skills shared by all citizens for better trained workforce

A “wired” community is more attractive to all business as technology becomes more prevalent

Possible Outcomes from LEV (3)

New home-based and small business start-ups selling through the Internet

Greater capacity to receive other grants Planning for regional technology corridors

linking multiple communities (i.e. e-corridors project)

Why will citizens use the Louisa Electronic Village? Grassroots initiative with countywide

ownership Unbiased, objective, non-commercial,

citizen-designed and volunteer-led venture Promotes community pride, citizenship

and computer literacy Incorporates educational workshops and

other on-going training for computer and infrastructural literacy

Louisa Electronic Village (LEV) http:\\louisa.top.bev.net

                                                                                                     

                               

                                                                     

                                                                                                     

                        

       

                                                          

           

Quick LinksCommunity groupsChurchesCalendarLocal businessesLocal weatherLouisa web sitesPost your event!

Faces of LouisaFaces of Louisa details here

Business SpotlightBusiness Spotlight details here

Community FocusCommunity Focus details here

Did you know?Louisa county factsrotate here

 

This site was developed as part of a TOP grant awarded to the Blacksburg Electronic Village and the VirginiaCooperative Extension. Comments or questions about this site should be sent to Louisa Comments. Comments or

questions about BEV in a Box should be sent to BEV Comments. Privacy Policy.                                                                                                                  

Home | People Directory | Local Businesses | Community Groups | News/CalendarYouth | Seniors | Education | Health | Sports & Recreation | Government | Discussion Boards

About Louisa Electronic Village | Search | Help | Site Map

                                                                                                                                                                                                

Username: louisa Password: lpass

Resources

www.top.bev.netwww.bev.net

www.ecorridors.vt.edu

Coming May 23, 2003!

www.louisaelectronicvillage.net