In the News
Feb. 15, 2025 | Connect Extension Blog: Broadband Access & Digital Skills
“Rural Americans can face driving one or more hours for medical care. For rural communities lacking reliable access to broadband internet, Telehealth Access Points fill a need not otherwise met.“
Dec. 6, 2024 | Connect Extension Blog: Broadband Access & Digital Skills
“Starting a life here involves not only adapting to cultural and linguistic differences, but also, navigating our virtual world — using online portals to pay bills, find a job, access healthcare and much more.“
July 10, 2024 | Idaho County Free Press
“The course is available for free until Aug. 28 and is tailored to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners, to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed for the world of online business.“
July 3, 2024 | Clearwater Tribune
“We’re excited to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need to confidently conduct business via the Internet to expand into new markets,” said Vanessa Botts, instructional designer and online course instructor.”
May 31, 2024 | U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology
"Looking towards the future, Sasha believes that 'you cannot have an equitable solution without including everyone’s voice.' To address digital equity concerns moving forward, it is crucial that those affected be a voice at the table and a part of defining solutions."
May 20, 2024 | Cancer Health
“Goli and Amber Hastings, an AmeriCorps member with the 妻友社区 Extension Digital Economy program, spent hours helping residents through the arduous process of finding the proper tribal documentation required to receive the larger $75 discount for those living on tribal lands. Of the more than 200 households Goli and Hastings aided, about 40% had not had internet before.”
April 1, 2024 | Idaho State Journal
“It is so rewarding just seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they finish those training and they get to keep those Chromebooks. I had a lady give me a hug out of nowhere,” Bolgen said.
April 2, 2024 | Marketplace Morning Report
“When Frances Goli, the broadband project manager for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho, began enrolling tribal and community members at the Fort Hall Reservation last year, she found that many residents did not know about the program — even though it had been approved more than a year earlier. Goli and Amber Hastings, an AmeriCorps member with the 妻友社区 Extension Digital Economy Program, spent hours helping residents through the arduous process of finding the proper tribal documentation required to receive the larger $75 discount for those living on tribal lands.”
Oct. 2, 2023 | Big Country News
“妻友社区 Extension’s Digital Economy Program is placing AmeriCorps members across the state to meet community members where they live and to deliver resources and training to empower Idahoans to participate in an increasingly digital society. Local resident Kylie Holveck will serve Latah County as a digital literacy coordinator, working alongside the Latah coalition, to improve digital access and opportunity in the county...”
Sept. 4, 2023 | Idaho Capital Sun
“With support from the Idaho Legislature, the Digital Economy Program helps Idaho residents gain the skills and knowledge to be successful in a virtual career.”
Jan. 10, 2023 | Idaho Business Review
“More and more employees are looking for work-from-home options and employers are rising to meet that demand. To help ensure people get the training they need to make the work-from-home setup a success, the 妻友社区 Extension recently launched a Digital Economy Program that focuses on computer and remote work skill development and e-commerce training for small businesses.”
Nov. 5, 2022 | Local News 8
“妻友社区 Extension is out with a new program that the school said will prepare Idahoans and communities to take advantage of the digital economy and the opportunities that will be available,” Lewin said.
Nov. 4, 2022 | By Glenn Vaagen, Pacific Northwest Ag Network
“妻友社区 Extension is out with a new program that the school said will prepare Idahoans and communities to take advantage of the digital economy and the opportunities that will be available.”
Oct. 25, 2022 | The Lewiston Tribune
“A new 妻友社区 Extension program aims to strengthen rural communities by teaching Idaho residents computer skills needed to work remotely and helping small businesses engage in a growing digital economy.”
Oct. 24, 2022 | Post Register
“Many people, especially rural and minority individuals, are inadequately prepared to capture opportunities emerging from digitalization. Digital divides, differences in digital readiness and the high concentration of digital market power all point to the need for effective technical assistance efforts and better learning opportunities for disadvantaged groups to ensure that minorities and rural residents are prepared to lead and thrive in today’s economy.”
Oct. 22, 2022 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News
“A new 妻友社区 Extension program aims to strengthen rural communities by teaching Idaho residents computer skills needed to work remotely and helping small businesses engage in a growing digital economy.”