CARSON CITY - Both rural and non-rural Nevada businesses use computers at a similar rate, but rural businesses are much more likely to be missing out on the added profits that can come from having a website and allowing employees to telework. That is the finding of a new report released today by Connect Nevada. In fact, the Technology Use Among Rural Nevada Businesses report reveals numerous insights into the rural business landscape across the state.
Some of the highlights are:
• Rural Nevada businesses have adopted technology at a rate similar to businesses in non-rural parts of the state. Approximately 87 percent of rural Nevada businesses use a computer and 74 percent use broadband.
• Rural businesses are not using technology in the same ways as their urban competitors, though. For example, only 52 percent have a business website, only 28 percent allow employees to telework, and only 4 percent subscribe to voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service.
• Rural Nevadan businesses earn approximately $320 million annually in revenue from online sales, based on self-reported annual revenues.
A high concentration of businesses in rural Nevada are in the service, traditional, and manufacturing sectors, and these businesses adopt and use technology at lower rates than similar businesses in non-rural parts of the state. Only 72 percent of businesses in these sectors in rural Nevada have adopted broadband, and only 49 percent report that they use a website.
"It's clear from this new rural business technology report that we have Nevada businesses missing out on available opportunity for greater reach and higher annual revenues," says Connect Nevada State Program Manager Lindsey Niedzielski. "We know from our previous state research that simply using broadband boosts median business revenue by more than $300,000 a year. This report highlights the gap between adopting technology and using it to its greatest potential while also informing us that more than 2,500 rural businesses are still without any broadband at all."
Connect Nevada's Connected program is addressing broadband needs and technology planning in communities across the state. In fact, rural Douglas County was just the first in the state and only the second in the entire nation to be a certified Connected community, meaning the region has a comprehensive action plan for developing a technology-ready community by reviewing the technology landscape, developing regional partnerships, establishing local teams, and conducting a thorough community assessment.
Connect Nevada is actively working to bridge the technology gap among all Nevadans to ensure everyone has access to the limitless opportunities that broadband provides. Increasing broadband and technology usage among Nevada's residents and businesses now will pave the way for a bright economic future.
Anyone interested in bringing better broadband to local homes and businesses is encouraged to join in the Connect Nevada community planning effort. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Niedzielski at lniedzielski@connectnv.org or (775) 343-9600.
About Connect Nevada: The Governor's Office and the Nevada Broadband Task Force are leading the initiative to increase broadband Internet access, adoption, and use across the state. Connect Nevada is a nonprofit organization that was commissioned by the state to work with all Nevada broadband providers, create detailed maps of current broadband coverage, and coordinate efforts with other Federal grant award recipients in the state. Connect Nevada is now supporting the development of a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of broadband. The goal is to spread high-speed Internet across the state and make sure all Nevada residents have access to its life-changing benefits. For more information visit: www.connectnv.org.
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