The growth of the New Economy has the potential to positively benefit community economic development (CED) organizations, rural communities and First Nations in Manitoba. Organizations and communities have not necessarily profited equally from this knowledge-based economy. This study sought to identify current participation in the New Economy and how increased participation can enhance CED organizations, rural communities and First Nations. The greatest barrier for CED organizations to participate in the New Economy is the cost of technology. Recommendations for CED organizations included the need to utilize new software for CED planning, to participate in other New Economy activities, to share information with other organizations and to provide a greater number of public access computers for their communities. The need to connect all rural communities to broadband Internet, to use technology for CED planning, to get local retailers and governments on-line and to provide more public access computers were all recommended for rural communities.
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