Tech-based economic development
We support rural community leaders in designing and implementing strategies for the tech economy that foster scalable entrepreneurship and generate more tech jobs in rural America. Our approach is inclusive, comprehensive, and tailored to local needs.
Empowering rural areas through tech-driven economic development
Through our work with communities nationwide, we’ve discovered that it’s crucial to address multiple areas simultaneously: if you equip workers with coding skills but they cannot access local or remote tech jobs, these newly-trained professionals may leave. Likewise, if you help individuals secure remote work or launch tech-based businesses but lack spaces for these tech workers to collaborate and share ideas, momentum may be lost, and people may relocate.
Our wide ranging strategy
Currently, 12% of America’s workforce resides in rural areas, yet only 5% of the nation’s tech jobs are located there. By 2030, our goal is for rural America to account for 12% of the nation’s tech employment, with opportunities distributed to reflect the gender and racial demographics of each region. We will accomplish this through a holistic combination of expertise, programs, and partnerships—ensuring that all Americans, regardless of geography, can fully participate in the 21st-century tech economy.
Through our Simplify Business Consultancy Initiative, Our team of in-house community managers and data experts partners with cohorts of rural communities to develop place-based tech economy strategies. This intensive technical assistance program has supported communities in securing over $36 million in federal funding and matching contributions. Many of these communities continue their journey by joining the Simplify Business Consultancy Network after completing the Initiative.. Read more.
Our Simplify Business Consultancy Network is an expanding community of small-town economic development leaders from across the nation, all dedicated to fostering thriving tech economies in their hometowns. We connect members with fellow rural leaders and advocates pursuing similar development initiatives, while collaborating closely to craft strategies, evaluate opportunities, and bring innovative ideas to life. Read more.
We work closely with members of the Simplify Business Consultancy Network to design programs and initiatives that strengthen local tech workforces. Partnering with job seekers, local employers, rural post-secondary institutions, national tech training partners, and remote tech companies, we develop initiatives that expand access to tech employment and skills in rural communities.Read more.