Article on New Hampshire’s “quiet” innovation highlights NERCRD research

In this opinion piece written for the New Hampshire Business Review, Dr. Charlie French (University of New Hampshire Extension) cites NERCRD research on “latent” or hidden innovation, and provides several examples of “quiet innovation” from rural New Hampshire communities that are leading to gains in employment, income, and quality of life. Dr. French leads UNH Extension’s Community and Economic Development team.

Webinar Recording: An introduction to the National Broadband Navigator instrument

September 10, 2024

This NERCRD webinar introduced the National Broadband Navigator, an innovative, public spatial-analysis tool designed to help community leaders plan broadband projects in areas currently underserved by high-speed internet. A recording from the event, which took place on Tuesday, September 24, is available.

WVU awarded ARC funding to lead development of Rural Tourism Institute

September 5, 2024

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced a $485,000 planning grant for the development of a Rural Tourism Institute. Led by WVU’s Doug Arbogast, the project team includes collaborators at North Carolina State Extension Tourism, the Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky, the Northeast and Southern Regional Rural Development Centers, prominent tourism industry consultants, and community partners across three Appalachian states.

NERCRD attends Pennsylvania Ag Summit hosted by U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Chair Glenn Thompson

August 21, 2024

On August 12, NERCRD’s Director and Associate Director had the opportunity to attend the sixth annual Pennsylvania Ag Summit. Hosted by the Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson event was held to showcase Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry.

Northeast Extension teams honored with national, regional awards!

August 19, 2024

In June, several members of the National Association for Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) were recognized with awards. The awards were presented at the 2024 NACDEP meeting, which took place in Houston, TX, and was hosted by Prairie View University. Among this year’s awardees were several Northeast NACDEP members – please join us in congratulating […]

Researchers earn NSF grant to measure local innovation activity

August 13, 2024

A team of researchers — including NERCRD’s Zheng Tian and Stephan Goetz, and their collaborator Timothy Wojan, an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) fellow — were awarded a two-year, $300,000 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a new method for accurately measuring innovation activity in small geographic regions.

US companies’ global market reach linked to cloud computing use

August 12, 2024

U.S. firms that use cloud computing services are more likely to export their products and services, according to a new study by researchers at NERCRD and U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The team said the findings were stronger for firms located outside of large cities and demonstrate the need for expanded availability of the high-speed internet required for cloud computing to support economic development.

New Research Snapshots shed light on the economic and social impacts of caregivers in the North Central and Northeast U.S.

July 18, 2024

A multi-state team of researchers has released preliminary findings from a groundbreaking survey that examined the caregiving experiences of households in the North Central and Northeast regions of the U.S. The findings were released as two regionally focused “Research Snapshots,” which provide insights into caregiver demographics, who is receiving care, the financial and personal impacts […]

High-speed internet linked to more farms offering agritourism

June 25, 2024

The availability and adoption of high-speed broadband appears to boost the number of farms offering agritourism activities, according to a new study led by NERCRD researchers. Their findings, the researchers said, bolster the argument for expanding broadband availability in support of farm operators who want to benefit from the growing consumer interest in on-farm experiences.

Welcoming Stephen Alessi to the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development

June 4, 2024

The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD) is pleased to announce that Stephen Alessi has joined the Center as Associate Director, effective June 3, 2024. In this role, Alessi will lead the NERCRD’s outreach and Extension-oriented activities by fostering and strengthening the Center’s relationships with Northeast land-grant universities and rural development partners, and by identifying and responding to opportunities for cross-state collaborations and sharing of programs.

New data briefs document recent changes in U.S. agritourism and direct-to-consumer sales sectors

June 4, 2024

Researchers from the University of Maine and Penn State have released a set of comprehensive data briefs that shed light on two small but important sectors of U.S. agriculture — agritourism and direct-to-consumer sales — utilizing data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The briefs, published by the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, provide valuable insights into the current status of these sectors and also document recent trends, both nationally and for each state.