The Carbon County Commissioners were recently paid a visit by the Eastern Region Utah State University Extension Coordinator Jordan Leonard to present the rural online initiative pilot program. Leonard stated that for this first year, they will be focusing on Carbon and Emery counties as far as economic and community development is concerned.
The program is through HB 327, which is also called the Rural Online Initiative, and is through USU Extension. The goal of the program, as outlined by Leonard, is to connect remote workforce with remote workers, such as freelance opportunities, project-based and entrepreneurs. The program also aims to help train and can assist in finding full-time work through IT companies with the right skills.
At the end of the program, those that have successfully participated will receive a master remote work professional certificate, enabling them to promote themselves online as having a USU Eastern remote training. This will roll out on Oct. 1 with a town hall meeting. Leonard asked the community and commissioners for support as well as potential places where the meetings can take place, which is likely to be at the Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments office or the university.
Leonard plans to be in Carbon County on Thursdays. However, as the program grows, he plans to allot more time to be in the area. This program was approved by the commissioners.