Fall 2025, Vol. 8, Iss. 23

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Rural Businesses Thrive with E-Commerce Accelerator

Across rural Utah, small businesses and agricultural producers are using digital tools to reach new customers and strengthen their operations. Through hands-on technical support, website development assistance, the USU Extension E-Commerce Accelerator (ECA) gives rural and personalized guidance that helps rural entrepreneurs build and manage online storefronts with confidence.

Since launching in 2023, the ECA has helped 50 rural businesses and agricultural operations build fully functioning e-commerce websites, with 46 of those sites now generating new revenue. The program maintains a 100 percent completion rate, and participants consistently report increased confidence using digital tools.

For many Utah businesses, e-commerce is more than convenience; it is a path to sustainable growth. Together, ECA-supported websites have generated more than $1 million in new online sales, and more than 85 percent of participating businesses serve Utah’s agricultural sector.

Research shows that increasing digital capacity in rural areas has the potential to add millions in annual value to Utah’s economy and strengthen local businesses statewide.

Learn More

A recent example is Saltwater Ranch Flower Farm in Davis County. With support from the ECA, they launched a beautiful, user-friendly online store where customers can shop their products. ECA assisted with product setup, payment integration, and customer experience design, and also taught the team how to manage and update their website independently.

Watch their experience and discover more ECA client stories on our YouTube channel →

Watch Now

Remote Work Opens New Doors for ROI Student

Gina Ward recently accepted a fully remote role as a Clinical Product Support Specialist with Sequel Med Tech, headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire. As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, Gina transitioned into this position after completing the Certified Remote Work Professional^© and Certified Tech Sales Professional^© courses.

In her new role, Gina provides clinical education, product training, and troubleshooting support for people with diabetes who use the Twiist insulin pump.

Gina shared that the skills she gained through the Rural Online Initiative (ROI) helped her step confidently into a national remote position: “Thanks to the ROI team, I can help care for people no matter where they live in the United States.”

Congratulations, Gina! Your success highlights the growing opportunities available to Utahns with remote-ready skills.

Visit our website to explore more success stories →

USU is Hiring! Fatherhood Education Coordinator

Utah State University Extension is hiring Fatherhood Education Coordinators throughout Utah to teach family-life education to justice-involved fathers. Promote involvement and reentry skills!

Positions available include part-time (wage) & full-time (benefited). Remote work eligible. Review begins January 2026.

Apply Here

Where You'll Find Us

This meeting will help you decide if the Certified Remote Work Leader^© course is the right next step for you.

Join us for a short virtual overview of the Certified Remote Work Leader^© course. This professional development program is designed for the realities of managing remote and hybrid teams. The session will introduce key skills that support communication, culture, performance management, conflict resolution, and team support in a distributed workplace.

We have two opportunities this month to learn about the Certified Remote Work Professional^© course and how ROI helps adults prepare for remote, hybrid job opportunities.

This is an in-person meeting for Tooele County and surrounding area residents.

Meet Regional Program Specialist, Trenton Willson at Tooele City Corporation Council Chambers and learn how remote work training can help you build skills, understand employer expectations, and prepare for new job opportunities.

This is virtual meeting open to all age 17 and older with prior work experience.

Join Regional Program Specialist, Jake Marino for a virtual introduction to remote work. This short session will explain what the course includes, what you can expect as a learner, and how ROI provides support throughout your job search.

Stay connected for upcoming dates, details, and registration links for future Resume Workshops and Professional Development meetings. →

Remote Work Stays Stable Through 2029

A U.S. Census Bureau surveyed more than 150,000 businesses to understand how employers are actually using remote work. The findings show a clear trend: remote work is not going away!

Businesses report that employees work from home about one day per week, and they expect this level to remain steady through 2029. The study also found that remote work varies widely by industry, that most businesses see similar productivity between onsite and remote employees.

Read the Census findings →

This data counters headlines that suggest remote work is disappearing. In reality, employers continue to maintain remote options because they widen hiring reach, improve retention, and support productivity.

If you are preparing for a remote or hybrid role in the new year, our Certified Remote Work Professional^© course can help you build your home office skills and strengthen your job search. January registration is now open.

Remote Jobs are Turning Rural Areas into Opportunity Hubs

A study from the Center on Rural Innovation shows that local quality of life has become a primary factor in where people choose to live and work. Since spring 2020, the importance people place on community amenities and lifestyle has more than doubled, with the biggest shift happening in rural areas.

Read the full study →

Paul Hill, Utah State University Professor and Director of the Rural Online Initiative, noted that rural areas that invest in experiences, education, and connectivity are attracting high-skilled talent and strengthening their local economies.

"As the study shows, by investing in quality of life through broadband, thoughtful development, and education, we help guide growth instead of waiting for it," Hill said. Read Paul Hill's comments on LinkedIn →

This trend supports what we see across Utah. People are choosing remote-friendly communities where they can find meaningful work, enjoy the outdoors, and stay close to family.

As we wrap up the year, we want to thank our students, partners, and community supporters for helping strengthen Utah’s rural workforce. Your dedication makes our mission possible.

We look forward to sharing new opportunities, events, and resources in the new year.

Warm wishes for a safe and meaningful holiday season.

— Rural Online Initiative Team

Meet the ROI team.

Have a success story or testimonial to share?

We’d love to hear how ROI has made a difference in your journey.

Share your story with us.

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Mailing address:

Utah State University Extension - Washington County

339 South 5500 West

Hurricane, UT 84737

Utah State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution and is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination. For USU’s non-discrimination notice, see equity.usu.edu/non-discrimination.

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