Rural Broadband Internet Access: The Key to Rural Workforce Development

Abstract

The slower pace of growth for Broadband internet access has had a cascading effect on more rural areas causing slower growth and creating barriers to access the world wide web of information. This article examines Jones County, a rural county in eastern North Carolina, as an example of how we could possibly grow people where they live and grant internet access to rural citizens. One way to do this is with creative internet access in areas that are underserved to grow rural workforces in place. The article also examines growing the rural workforce, improving rural health, and improved telemedicine.

Keywords:

• Broadband
• healthcare workforce
• workforce development
• North Carolina