SBIR-STTR Award

The goal of the following proposal is to research and develop a managerial system that increases economic development capacity in rural communities. Thus it responds directly to rural communities' needs as well as directly addresses USDA Strategic Goal 4: Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development and the SBIR RFA Topic Area 8.6 - Rural and Community Development. Bludot will perform the research and development via practical implementation of the proposed system at 43 participating rural jurisdictions. Bludot will examine the following as its research topics: 1) Efficacy of local capacity building communications and managerial functionality; and2) Impact of big data and accessibility. The need for a system to manage support and communicate with local businsses rapidly and effectively has become exceedingly urgent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rural economic development leaders and communities will benefit greatly by having a technology solution to maximize their impact in economic recovery. This proposed solution not only has significant market potential but immense socioecocnomic impact. Findings from this research will directly contribute to a system that will build rural economic development capacity and lead to expansion of businesses creation of jobs and overall betterment of rural Americans' quality of life.

The goal of the following proposal is to research and develop a managerial system that increases economic development capacity in rural communities. Thus it responds directly to rural communities' needs as well as directly addresses USDA Strategic Goal 4: Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development and the SBIR RFA Topic Area 8.6 - Rural and Community Development. Bludot will perform the research and development via practical implementation of the proposed system at existing and new participating rural jurisdictions. Bludot will focus on the following research 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 businesses rapidly and effectively has become exceedingly urgent. Rural economic development leaders and communities will benefit greatly by having a technology solution to maximize their impact in economic recovery. This proposed solution not only has significant market potential but immense socioeconomic impact. The Phase I effort has already yielded encouraging results with substantial community support. Findings from this Phase II research will directly contribute to a system that will build rural economic development capacity and lead to expansion of businesses creation of jobs and overall betterment of rural Americans' quality of life.