The Vermont Council on Rural Development

Vermont Digital Economy Project (VDEP)

Application for Services

Deadline: March 15, 2013

The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is offeringfree direct services to at least 25 of the towns that were affected byflooding in 2011. These services will expand the innovative use of online tools to spur economic development and job growth while improving community resilience to future disasters. Towns will be selected from the applications that are received by March 15, 2013.

Who can apply?

Any Vermont town can apply for VDEP services through this competitive application process, withthe highest priority given to towns by flooding in 2011.

The application can only be submitted by a Selectboard member or town official with the authority to apply for the municipality. The municipal applicant will indicate the services of interest to the town as well as those that are of interest to libraries, nonprofits, businesses and other groups in town.

Types of services

Towns will choose from a menu ofVDEP services and resources through this application;applicants can request any or all of the services offeredin line with local needs. The services include developing new or upgraded municipal websites, helping businesses and nonprofit organizations use online tools, creating new Wi-Fi zones, boosting broadband training and access through public libraries, and spurring neighborhood connections.

These services will be led by VCRD in partnership withthe Vermont State Colleges, the Vermont Department of Libraries, the Vermont Small Business Development Center, and the Snelling Center for Government.VDEP is funded by the federal Economic Development Administration, with support from IBM, Microsoft and each of the partners.

How do towns apply?

Complete the application below and email it by March .

Criteria for Evaluation Includes:

  • Completeness of the application;
  • Conveying a clear understanding of and need for VDEP services;
  • Providing contact information for a point person related to each service requested.

About the Point Person:

Take a moment to think of people connected to each service area and give them a call to let them know about this opportunity. (For example, for the Internet Interns in libraries, the point person will likely be the town librarian).Being the point person in an area doesn’t necessarily guarantee that they will receive services in their category, but rather means that they are a conduit for bringing free resources to town. Point people will receive a call from VDEP staff sometime in April with more information and to plan for the delivery of services.

What to Expect

  1. Applications are due by March 15th at 5pm.
  2. Applicants will be notified by April 5th.
  3. For selected towns, a VDEP staff member will be in touch with each primary contact listed on the application shortly after notification.
  4. Workshops, trainings, equipment installation, websites, and other services will roll out over the next 16 months.

Questions?

If you have any questions, contact Margaret Gibson McCoy,VCRD Office and Communications Manager, at (802) 223-6091 or .


Application

Applications due March 15thby 5:00 p.m.

(Visit for a Word version of this application that you can fill out and email back)

The Vermont Digital Economy Project (VDEP) offers towns a number of free services to speed their flood recovery and advance community and economic development. VDEP offers services to the municipality as well as to businesses, community groups, nonprofits and libraries in town. However, an application can only be submitted by the selectboard or an authorized town official.

Each town that applies selects services from the menu below; applicants can request any or all of the services offered. Though towns may not receive every service they request, VDEP staff will work closely with towns to address key needs.VDEP services include:

Workshops and consultations for small business

One-to-one assistance for farm and forest businesses

Strategic consultations with nonprofits

New downtown Wi-Fi zones & hotspots

Internet Interns in public libraries to help library patrons with digital literacy skills

Build or upgrade our town website

Establish a community-based online forum (e.g. Front Porch Forum) and community calendar

Overall Project Lead[REQUIRED]:

The overall project lead is the person applying for this opportunity and is the main point person as our team begins work in the community. The overall Project Lead should be a Selectboard member or town officialwith authority to apply for the municipality.

Name:
Organization(s)/business,
if applicable:
Position:
Address:
Phone:
Email:

Services

Please select from the following servicesby checking the applicable boxes and provideonepoint person foreach service you select. Each point person should have a connection with the service requested and be ready to work with VDEP partnersas they begin in the community (for example, the local librarian will be the point person for the “Internet Interns in libraries” service). No service can be awarded without a committed contact person.

Workshops and consultations for small business

A digital expert from the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) will help local businesses integrate online tools into daily operations.This advising blends one-on-one sessions, workshops, webinars, and printed materials with emphasis on strong business planning and matching tools to clear business strategies. (The point person could be someone from the local chamber, downtown revitalization group, etc.)

Name of point person:
Organization(s)/business,
if applicable:
Position:
Phone:
Email:

One-to-one assistance for farm and forest businesses

A digital expert from VtSBDC will provide assistance specifically tailored to farm and forest operations looking to integrate online tools into daily operations. (The point person could be someone from the local chamber, agricultural network, or an active farmer or forester, etc.)

Name of point person:
Organization(s)/business,
if applicable:
Position:
Phone:
Email:

Strategic consultations with nonprofits

A digital expert from VCRDwill provide assistance specifically tailored to non-profit organizations looking to integrate online tools into daily operations.(The point person could be from a local non-profit or from a regional non-profit that provides services to the town).

Name of point person:
Organization(s)/business,
if applicable:
Position:
Phone:
Email:

New downtown Wi-Fi zones & hotspots

As broadband tools expand, so do the expectations of residents and visitors to be able to connect away from home. This service will provide technical expertise for planning for this service and pay for the cost of equipment and installation.

Name of point person:
Organization/business,
if applicable:
Position:
Phone:
Email:

Internet Interns in public libraries to helppatrons with digital literacy skills

This service will bring Vermont State College students specifically trained as Internet Interns to the local library for 4-8 hours/week as a resource to provide one-on-one digital literacy assistance to patrons. The Vermont Department of Libraries will support this effort by helping local libraries purchase equipment and educational materials, and through professional development for library staff. (The point person should be your town librarian.)

Name of point person:
Organization(s)/business,
if applicable:
Position:
Phone:
Email:

Build or upgrade atown website

The Snelling Center for Government will work with the town to upgrade or create a dynamic website that will be customized to serve the needs of the town and its residents every day.(The point person should be a town official or designeein charge of the town website.)

Name of point person:
Organization(s)/business,
if applicable:
Position:
Phone:
Email:

Establish a community-based online social networking forum and community calendar

This service will create a moderated, community-based, online forum to towns that don’t already have one in place. These forums will also contain a community calendar that is automatically tied in to local postings and can be added to local websites through a widget.(The point person could be someone from the town or acommunications committee, etc.)

Name of point person:
Organization(s)/business,
if applicable:
Position:
Phone:
Email:

Description of local need

Explain briefly (200-500 words) how the servicesyou’ve selected answer local needs and support a strong future for your community.

Electronic Submissions Only

Please submit the applicationin a single Word or PDF file by March 15thto: Margaret Gibson McCoy at .

If you have any questions about the application, please contact Margaret McCoy VCRD Office and Communications Manager, at (802) 223-6091 or .