Managerial System for Rural Jurisdictions to Increase Economic Development Capacity

The goal of the following proposal is to research and develop a managerial system that increaseseconomic development capacity in rural communities. Thus it responds directly to ruralcommunities' needs as well as directly addresses USDA Strategic Goal 4: Facilitate RuralProsperity and Economic Development and the SBIR RFA Topic Area 8.6 - Rural andCommunity Development.Bludot will perform the research and development via practical implementation of the proposedsystem at existing and new participating rural jurisdictions. Bludot will focus on the followingreseach priorities:1) Enhance local capacity building communications and managerial functionality; and2) Enhance big data accessibility.The need for a system to manage support and communicate with local businsses rapidly andeffectively has become exceedingly urgent. Rural economic development leaders andcommunities will benefit greatly by having a technology solution to maximize their impact ineconomic recovery. This proposed solution not only has significant market potential butimmense socioecocnomic impact. The Phase I effort has already yielded encouraging resultswith substantial community support. Findings from this Phase II research will directly contributeto a system that will build rural economic development capacity and lead to expansion ofbusinesses creation of jobs and overall betterment of rural Americans' quality of life.