Georgia Tech Brings the Digital Economy to Rural Georgia A team of technology specialists has branched out into the Peach's State rural countryside to bring technology and jobs. The TechSmart program, sponsored by Atlanta-based Georgia Institute of Technology, is helping boost technology and development in small communities throughout the state. While many technology programs aimed at rural development emphasize access to infrastructure and technical assistance, TechSmart focuses on the communities learning and developing skills themselves.         "We don't do, we help our clients do for themselves," says Greg Lauderman, a community information technology specialist with Georgia Tech's Development Institute. "This is all about community-level learning by doing."         With the help of TechSmart and under the direction of Georgia Tech's Development Institute, areas such as Sylvester, located in southern Georgia and rural Chattooga County have organized campaigns for low-cost Internet access. The cities of Newnan and Thomasville now offer residents advanced telecommunications services. The city of Soperton has launched its first official Web site.         TechSmart is also working with the West Georgia Technical Alliance (WGTA) to bring fiber optic networks to the west Georgia community of Carrollton, and aiding with Internet access to Carroll county schools and colleges. The Development Institute has developed a set of standards to help communities launch digital development. Those steps include assessment, awareness and application.         "We are slowly but surely becoming more aware of the need for a clearer focus on technology needs, technology training, technology infrastructure, and also the need to include technologists in what we are doing," says Betsy Huber, president of the Thomaston-Upson County Chamber of Commerce.