The 3-Year Journey

What to Expect When Your Region is Selected

You're not just asking to join a program — 
you're helping lead a national movement for rural revitalization.

REMCs are so much more than utility providers — you are pillars of local progress. 
This pilot isn’t about adding another program to your plate. It’s about engaging a rural movement with measurable, long-term impact — using tools, training, and support custom fit  for your region. 
Here’s exactly what to expect if your REMC is selected.

The Commitment to Drive Real Change

When you're selected as a PowerUp Pilot, you will have to put some skin in the game, but you're not just making an investment — you're becoming a catalyst. This is not an outside program — it’s an investment in the future of your own region. You're also helping develop a grassroots effort quickly becoming a national movement. This one-time investment brings long-term visibility, voice, and vitality to your communities — while positioning your REMC as a leader in a model for rural revitalization that others across the country are now looking to follow. The value far exceeds the cost — the rewards are generational.

Being selected as a PowerUp pilot region means you're stepping into a multi-year opportunity to lead the future of rural America.

Investment to Join the Pilot

Participation is a one-time investment, scaled by regional population:

  • Under 50,000 residents: $25,000
  • 50,000–150,000 residents: $40,000
  • 150,000–300,000 residents: $55,000
  • Over 300,000 residents: $75,000

This covers 3 years of activation, plus 5 more years of custom data modeling.

We’re committed to making sure this is the best investment your region makes all decade.  To insure that is the case will will be porviding our platform at never again reduced pricing, because, None of Us Wins, If We All Don't Win!

Special Offer - Pilot Regions ONLY

Standard Pricing: For Local Organizations:  The What'sUp 24/7 platform offers tiered participation to ensure every organization in your region can benefit:

  • SimpleConnect — Always free. A basic directory listing so no valuable resource goes unnoticed.
  • ProConnect — Just $5/month. Enhanced directory, includes heightened visibility with images, detailed profiles, and contact info.
  • TotalEngage — $20/month. Unlimited promotion of events and job listings to connect directly with target audiences—at a fraction of traditional marketing costs.

** AS PART OF THE PILOT OFFER ** ANY ORGANIZATION THAT SUBSCRIBES FROM NOW UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2027 WE WILL BE OFFERING 3-YEARS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE FOR OUR TotalEngage ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION!  PAY $200 AND RECIEVE 3 FULL YEARS!!

100-Day Fast Start: Sept – Dec 2025

This intensive kickoff period sets you up for success before the 3-year clock begins.

In-Person Training Retreat in Indiana

  • You’ll send 2 local representatives for a multi-day, in-depth training experience (you cover travel; we cover food, lodging, and materials)
  • We’ll walk through platform strategy, leadership roles, and local engagement tactics

Widget Integration (WOW! = Widgets on Websites)

  • Get guided support to install What’sUp 24/7 widgets across community and partner websites
  • Embed up to 25 tools like job boards, event calendars, directories, and volunteer plug-ins
  • Widgets run quietly in the background — low effort, high engagement
  • Set it and forget it: minimal maintenance, maximum impact

Holiday Season = Smart Setup

  • The perfect time for behind-the-scenes setup that only needs to be done once
  • Lay the digital groundwork now while building momentum for January
  • Your platform will be live and partially populated — ready for public rollout in the new year

Year One

Year 1: Grassroots Engagement & Foundation Building (Jan – Dec 2026)

Kickoff Grassroots Outreach

  • Onboarding of businesses, services, nonprofits, and destinations across your region
  • Empower each to create free or upgraded listings so they're recognized as local/area resources

Community Champion Activation

  • Designate a Community Champion who drives local visibility and onboarding
  • Attend bi-weekly check-ins and join a statewide support group for idea sharing and accountability

Launch Mobile App

  • Stage One: Launch the Mobile App for the Community Champions
  • Stage Two: As local and area resource come online we will luanch the Mobile App to the broader public

Platform Optimization

  • You’ll continue refining the platform content with events, highlights, jobs, and community stories
  • We help keep the pace, with training and tools every step of the way

Year Two

Regional Growth & Feature Expansion 
(Jan – Dec 2027)

Connect Communities Across Borders

  • Your region will begin aligning with neighboring communities to cross-promote assets and events
  • You'll participate in Regional Roundtables to share momentum and success

Feature Unlocks

We’ll activate advanced platform tools:

  • Volunteer Portal
  • Enhanced Venue Listings
  • Enhanced Vendor Listings
  • Business-for-Sale Tool (keep Independently Owned business alive)
  • Obituaries
  • Public / Community Notices
  • and more...

Storytelling for Visibility

  • Learn how to capture and share authentic stories and wins from your communities
  • Feed a shared YouTube/media library to tell the full rural story — across the state

Year Three

Data-Driven Impact & National Movement Launch (Jan – Dec 2028)

Data Utilization & Rural Livability Index Launch

  • Use real-time data to connect individuals to the most closely aligned resources
  • Help communities and employers identify and attract the right talent and investment
  • Provide personalized quality of life insights to residents, job seekers, and potential movers
  • Your region helps launch the Rural Livability Index (RLI), turning visibility into strategy

Investment, Growth & Attraction

  • Showcase your region's strengths and opportunities
  • Guide future investments using data-backed evidence of regional gaps and strengths
  • Position your community for smart growth and targeted development

Final Showcase & National Recognition

  • Present your region’s transformation at a statewide celebration
  • Top Community Champions honored and success stories shared

'Reconsider Rural' Campaign Launch

  • Your region becomes part of the national conversation
  • Public launch of a nationwide campaign encouraging people to Reconsider Rural for business, family, or lifestyle

Summary of What You Receive

  •  In-depth launch training & materials
  •  Widget integration across your local websites
  •  Bi-weekly coaching and virtual support
  •  Community Champion & Connector support model
  •  Free Years 2 & 3 when subscribing for Year 1 ($200/org)
  •  Visibility across your region and beyond
  •  Data tools to drive future investment and growth
  •  A central role in launching the Rural Livability Index
  •  Recognition as a Rural Movement Leader & Catalyst
Reserve Your Spot