Web Site To Help Teach Small Business Technology

The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation have created a new Web site 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, according to a chamber press release.

The new program is called the West Virginia Small Business Technology Education and Competitiveness Initiative. The Web site is designed to:

• Generate greater demand for and use of broadband connectivity options among West Virginia small businesses, and
• 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, Roberts added.