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Press Release
W.Va. Chamber, W.Va. High Tech Consortium Launch Web Site For Small Business Technology
Site Showcases Innovative Technology Applications, Uses
August 9, 2005
CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation have created a new web site that is designed to educate small businesses on beneficial technologies and applications. The site, www.wvconnectivity.net, is part of an ongoing statewide program to encourage small business people to use broadband and Web-based technologies to improve business performance, expand market opportunities and enhance competitiveness. The new program is called the West Virginia Small Business Technology Education and Competitiveness Initiative. The web site is designed to:
1) generate greater demand for and use of broadband connectivity options among West Virginia small businesses, and
2) expand awareness, adoption and use of new Web-based technologies and business-solution technological applications that are available to improve West Virginia’s small business competitiveness, performance capabilities and market reach.
"We have compiled a great deal of useful technology information on this site to make it easy for small business people to explore and consider new uses of cost-effective technologies," said Steve Roberts, President of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. "Most small business people do not have the time nor the capabilities to keep up with the latest business technologies and applications, so this site makes it easy for them to learn and stay informed," Roberts said. "The site also will have a searchable of technology companies and service providers in West Virginia so small businesses can link with these technology solution providers."
The site also has information that showcases how broadband connectivity can benefit community improvement, education, public safety, health care, economic development, "home-sourced" jobs, etc.
The West Virginia Small Business Technology Education and Competitiveness Initiative is a collaborative effort and involves partnerships with other business development and technology organizations, particularly local chambers of commerce, the state Small Business Development Centers, local economic development authorities, colleges and universities and other community development organizations. The initiative also has connected with governmental entities/programs (such as the Appalachian Regional Commission, the U.S. SBA, etc.) and other non-profit groups for expanded resources. The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to help establish this statewide program.
"West Virginia has made good strides in diversifying its economy and moving our state’s businesses into the New Economy, and this new web site will help propel our small business community along this path," said Jim Estep, President of the West Virginia High Tech Consortium Foundation. "Thanks to the Internet, there are many cost-effective and beneficial technologies available for today’s small businesses, and this web site helps to showcase for many of these."
The ultimate goal of this initiative, Roberts noted, is to improve the competitiveness of our state’s small business community and to increase overall employment. "If each small business was able to create one new job from better use of technology, then that would result in more than 40,000 additional jobs in our state."
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