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Winter 2026, Vol. 9, Iss. 3 | |
If someone you know could benefit from remote work or e-commerce technical assistance, please forward this newsletter to them. Subscribe Here | |
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From Ranching to New Revenue: Western Legacy's E-Commerce Growth | |
For Western Legacy Farm and Ranch in Hurricane, Utah, building an online presence became more than launching a website. It became a new revenue stream for their family operation. | |
"The E-Commerce Accelerator has helped us market our beef and farm camps to a larger audience," said Kathie Iverson of Western Legacy. "It has increased our farm's overall revenue and profitability." |
Their experience reflects why digital capacity matters in rural Utah. The impact is not just in sales. It is in the confidence and long-term capability built along the way. | | | |
The E-Commerce Accelerator does more than build websites. It provides hands-on technical assistance and mentoring that turns online sales into a sustainable strategy, giving business owners the ability to manage, measure, and grow their digital presence independently. | |
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Research shows that expanding access to digital tools can unlock significant economic growth in Utah's rural communities, including hundreds of millions in annual sales, thousands of jobs in food and agriculture sectors, and stronger local economies statewide. | |
The ECA helps rural businesses participate in that growth now. | | | |
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Connecting with Rural Communities Across Utah | |
The CREDET team continues to meet communities where they are.
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This week, we hosted a virtual information meeting to introduce remote work training opportunities and answer questions from participants across the state. These sessions help individuals understand how the Certified Remote Work Professional© and other courses can help open doors to flexible, high-demand careers.
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Our outreach continues in person:
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For us, showing up in communities like Big Water is part of our commitment to expanding access and opportunity for all rural Utah.
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Whether online or in person, these meetings are designed to connect individuals with training, support, and pathways into remote and digital economy careers.
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For those ready to take the next step, Job Club meets virtually every Tuesday at 10 a.m. MT to provide ongoing support, accountability, and practical guidance throughout your job search.
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The more time participants invest in their job search, the greater their chances of success.
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Remote Doesn't Have to Mean "Left Behind" | |
Remote work can be a benefit for rural residents, but it can also mean less coaching, fewer advancement opportunities, and higher unemployment risk for early career workers.
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A recent National Bureau of Economic Research study found that proximity to coworkers increases feedback and learning, especially for new employees. In other words, growth often depends on visibility and access, not just performance.
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This does not mean remote workers are at a disadvantage. It means success requires intentional strategy.
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- Plan your proximity: Ask about mentorship, team routines, and occasional in-person collaboration before accepting a role.
- Schedule your feedback: Set a recurring 15-minute "review my work" check-in and request specific critique.
- Make your progress visible: Share weekly wins and track measurable outcomes in a simple "record of accomplishments."
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When connection, feedback, and visibility are intentional, remote work becomes manageable and sustainable. Rural professionals can succeed in remote jobs.
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New Rural Economic Development tool for Community Leaders | |
Rural communities need reliable data to plan effectively. The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) recently launched a new Rural Economic Development Tool that brings workforce, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and quality-of-life data into one accessible platform.
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The tool allows communities to:
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- Benchmark against peer regions
- Identify workforce and business trends
- Support grant writing and funding proposals
- Make data-informed decisions about infrastructure and economic investment
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At a time when public data is harder to access and easier to lose, tools like this help rural leaders plan with clarity.
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Workforce Study Highlights Skills Gap in Utah | |
A recent Utah State University Extension study of 226 employers found that the largest workforce gaps are in critical thinking, communication, time management, conflict resolution, and ethical judgment. | |
More than half of employers said demonstrated skills matter more than degrees in hiring decisions. The findings also highlight growing demand for digital and AI literacy as industries evolve. | |
These findings reinforce the importance of applied, skill-based learning across Utah's workforce ecosystem. | |
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Share Your E-Commerce Story
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If the E-Commerce Accelerator has made a difference for your business, we'd love to hear how it helped you grow.
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Know a friend or colleague who would like to receive monthly updates on Utah State University's CREDET? Please share this email with them. | |
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© 2026 Utah State University | |
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