While Vermont’s farming industry and rural atmosphere still plays a major part in attracting and retaining young families, Eva Sollberger, Seven Days videographer and author of the weekly online video series “Stuck in Vermont,” said she found well over 1,000 tech-savvy Vermonters at the Vermont 3.0 Creative/Tech Career Jam – where students and job seekers got connected with local high-tech companies looking to hire.

At the Knight Center of Digital Excellence, we understand that some wonder why rural areas really need the bulk of broadband stimulus funding. Keep in mind that even the most rural areas of our country have high-speed needs – besides the obvious ones. Not only are these areas looking to bolster their existing economic strengths, but they’re also trying to retain and attract talent at new, tech-based businesses that many don’t even know exist.

In an interview, Sollberger said Vermont’s job market is growing and becoming more reliant on new communications technology. People are excited about new companies, technologies and the opportunities they present.

This video highlights Vermont’s growing need for increased connectivity while also showcasing that the state has a lot more to offer besides Holstein cows and rolling hillsides:

Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, broadband, Broadband Expansion, community, digital, digital divide, economy, Eva Sollberger, farming, Freedom to Connect, high-tech, infrastructure, innovation, Internet, job seekers, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, OneCommunity, rural, rural communities, Seven Days, stimulus, Stuck in Vermont, students, utilities, Vermont, Vermont 3.0 Creative/Tech Career Jam