Non Technical Summary
The expansion of broadband and the digitalization of the economy offer opportunities for rural and underserved communities to access distant resources. However, to take full advantage of these opportunities, it is crucial that these communities are equipped with digital readiness skills. Our project aims to bridge the digital divide by providing equal access to digital economic opportunities for rural and underserved populations. By empowering minorities and rural residents, we aim to help them utilize broadband technology to create a fair, inclusive, and sustainable economy.The project consists of two components: research and extension. Through the research component, we will focus on understanding the factors that lead to successful economic growth related to broadband use. We will explore the relationship between broadband access, entrepreneurship, and job growth in rural communities. The research will increase our understanding of the institutional, social, cultural, and economic factors that affect rural and underserved individuals' decision-making and adoption of e-commerce and remote work. It will also evaluate the obstacles and opportunities for rural and minority individuals' e-commerce and remote work success nationally and in rural Idaho. To achieve our research objectives, we will use primary and nationally representative secondary data.The findings from the research will be utilized to enhance Extension programming, which aims to support rural and minority businesses as well as employees. We will leverage the university's extension capabilities to offer technical guidance and resources to rural and minority entrepreneurs and employees, enabling them to adapt to the digital economy and attain success. Additionally, the Extension component will conduct training on e-commerce and remote work and implement strategies to encourage internet adoption among historically underserved populations such as rural residents, low-income households, individuals aged 60 or above, incarcerated individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, individuals with language barriers, and racial or ethnic minorities. Our primary objective is to reinforce rural communities, which will result in greater diversity, strength, and resilience, which are crucial for the long-term improvement and sustainability of US agriculture and rural communities.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
802	6010	3010	60%
608	6020	3010	40%

Knowledge Area
608 - Community Resource Planning and Development; 802 - Human Development and Family Well-Being;

Subject Of Investigation
6010 - Individuals; 6020 - The family and its members;

Field Of Science
3010 - Economics;

Goals / Objectives
This project aims to maximize the benefit of broadband and economic digitalization among rural, underserved, and minority people in Idaho by informing policies and developing technical assistance that increases digital access and reduces the digital divide.Research objectivesObjective 1:Assess the feasibility and prevalence of remote work (WFH) among diverse groups of workers, including minorities, low-income individuals, and rural residents.Objective 2: Understand how broadband adoption and information and communication technology (ICT) use contribute to the economic outcome of rural residents and underserved populations.Objective 3: Identify workers' and entrepreneurs' educational needs and delivery preferences for extension courses.Extension objectivesObjective 4: Expanding digital outreach to Idaho's rural residents and underserved populations.Objective 5: Producing and facilitating online courses and webinars targeting priority issues affecting online business and remote workers.Objective 6: Offer resources for local and regional broadband action teams to address digital equity needs and increase internet adoption.

Project Methods
The proposed research analyze existing nationally representative data to achieve three research objectives: (1) Assess the feasibility of working from home (WFH) among minority, low-income, and rural workers based on occupational representation, technology access, and digital preparedness.; (2) Understand how broadband adoption and use of information and communication technology (ICT) contributes to economic outcome of rural residents and underserved population; and (3) Identify workers' and entrepreneurs' educational needs and delivery preferences for extension courses, in the context of the unique challenges faced by rural residents and underserved populations.Objective 1. Assess the feasibility of working from home among minority, low-income, and rural workers based on occupational representation, technology access, and digital preparednessFirstly, data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) will be analyzed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on remote work patterns, with a particular focus on disparities between rural and urban workers. Logistic regression modeling will beemployed to analyze WFH among different demographic groups, adjusting for relevant factors and employing appropriate weighting and error correction procedures.To measure WFH potential, two datasets will beutilized: the American Community Survey (ACS) and the Occupational Information Network dataset (O*NET). By merging these datasets, we will identify the potential for WFH based on occupation, home access to high-speed internet, and computer ownership. Additionally, digital preparedness will beassessed using data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), focusing on problem-solving in technology-rich environments (PTSRE).The methodology will integrateinformation from multiple sources to develop comprehensive measures of WFH feasibility, considering factors such as occupation, technology access, and digital skills proficiency. This approach will allowfor a nuanced understanding of WFH potential among specific demographic groups, contributing to a more inclusive assessment of remote work opportunities.Objective 2. Understand how broadband adoption and use of ICT contributes to economic outcomes of rural residents and underserved populationsTo address this objective, we will conduct six studies. First, work disruptions due to COVID-19 will be assessed using CPS data. Logistic regression modeling will be used to analyze the impact of the pandemic on economic conditions, considering factors such as work sector, industry, rural/urban location, and household characteristics.Second, the prevalence of working from home (WFH) among different demographic groups will be documented using the American Time Use Survey (ATUS). Econometric techniques will be employed to measure and explain gaps in WFH prevalence between various demographic groups.Thirdly, factors influencing business strategy choice, specifically the transition to an e-commerce business model among rural entrepreneurs, will be assessed using discrete choice experiments. Barriers to knowledge and implementation, as well as environmental factors affecting business strategy decisions, will be identified.Fourthly, the drivers and barriers of remote work among rural workers will be investigated through a choice experiment. Factors such as broadband access, computing knowledge, internet accessibility, and social interaction will be considered in the decision-making process.Fifthly, the relationship between WFH, productivity, and well-being among minority, low-income, and rural workers will be examined using ATUS and PSID data. Difference-in-differences and multinomial probit/logit models will be employed to assess the impact of WFH on working productivity and well-being.Lastly, disparities in remote work and economic outcomes across different demographic groups will be investigated through multigroup analysis using ATUS data. A structural equation model will be constructed to estimate causal relationships among latent variables related to broadband and ICT usage and income outcomes within each subgroup.These studies collectively aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how broadband adoption and ICT usage influence remote work patterns and economic outcomes among rural residents and underserved populations.