e-Commerce Initiative - Appalachian Regional Commission

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has created an e-Commerce training initiative for communities in West Virginia. The initiative is designed to help small businesses obtain access to broadband technology and increase their profit by opening their doors to the global economy through the Internet.

The initiative involves training sessions that give hands-on, interactive classes so small businesses understand the benefits and effective uses of e-Commerce. With the training, small businesses will be able to increase their bottom line, develop new sources of revenue, reduce the cost of supplies and services, better serve existing customers, and perhaps most importantly, enter new markets.

U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) and Anne B. Pope, Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), announced the new program in March 2005 (click to read release). The program was kicked off in Hinton, W.Va., where 15 small business people participated in the initial session.

The ARC has provided $200,000 for providing and expanding this new E-commerce initiative to interested communities in West Virginia. 

For information about having this e-Commerce training in your community, please contact Mark DeFalco at the ARC at (202) 884-7719.