From Paul Hill, USU Extension
Iron County, Utah – Utah State University Extension’s E-Commerce Accelerator (ECA) program is helping agricultural producers and rural small businesses integrate digital tools into their everyday operations to reach customers online.
The ECA program provides hands-on technical assistance and personalized mentoring to help clients adopt digital tools, build websites, and develop sustainable e-commerce strategies that expand market reach and strengthen long-term business growth.
Over the six-week ECA program experience, clients work one-on-one with USU Extension experts to build online storefronts, set up digital payment and fulfillment systems, and connect digital platforms. Experts provide the technical assistance and mentoring needed to turn e-commerce into a sustainable strategy that business owners can confidently manage, measure, and grow independently long after the program ends.
Participants also learn basic web development and analytics skills, as well as digital marketing and search engine optimization. By focusing on the specific needs of agricultural and rural enterprises, the program takes a personalized approach that helps business owners succeed in the digital marketplace.
The ECA’s impact is best represented through the stories and successes of its clients– rural business owners across the state:
Heart L Ranch – Mikyla Bagley, Piute County
“My family has been selling beef direct for several years by word of mouth, but when my dad learned about the USU E-Commerce program we were excited to expand our business and reach a new audience. Having the website up and functional has allowed us to reach new customers and increase the amount of direct-to-consumer sales that we have at Heart L Ranch in Piute County. We’ve made about $10,000 in extra sales through the website in about four months.”
Aaron Rees – Provident Meat Co., Millard County
“The ECA Program has been a huge asset to our business. Even though we are based in Millard County, we have had people as far as New Jersey find us online through our website and purchase our meat. In the past year of having our website up, we have made over $250,000 on top of our regular sales. Most people find us on Google and stop into the store to buy their meat. We’ve never been so busy, it’s been great!”
Since October 2023, ECA clients have launched 50+ functioning e-commerce websites, generating over $1 million in new online revenue, with 85 percent reporting increased sales revenue on their e-commerce websites. All participants were satisfied with the ECA service and felt the knowledge they gained was valuable in helping their businesses grow.
With a year-long waitlist of more than 80 qualified businesses, the program’s growing demand highlights its vital role in strengthening Utah’s rural economy. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, increased adoption of digital tools could add $216 million to Utah’s GDP each year. The ECA is engaged in making this happen.
The ECA was developed under USU Extension’s Rural Online Initiative, expanding its mission to drive economic prosperity in rural Utah through digital tools and e-commerce training. Governor Spencer Cox has called the Rural Online Initiative “one of the best rural economic development initiatives that we’ve done in the history of the state of Utah,” noting it proves that Utah’s rural talent can compete in the global economy.
To put your business on the ECA waitlist, or to see the latest outcomes of the ECA program, visit: usuecommerce.com