Even though the World Wide Web has become as integral to doing business as a working phone, previously un-served or underserved areas of the Berkshires are only now realizing its full potential.
The Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC), which serves as a resource for small businesses and entrepreneurs across Berkshire County, is aiming to address this skill gap with the assistance of grant funding from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI). The endeavor and its benefits will be addressed during a panel discussion on Thursday, Nov. 1 at Beacon Cinema, moderated by PERC President Jay Anderson and drawing from the expertise of four local business owners, including Winstanley Partners president Nate Winstanley.
Dubbed the Making the Most of Broadband Project, the funding will allow PERC to give up to 10 small businesses the opportunity to adopt a variety of web-based tools using outreach efforts to reach businesses throughout the Berkshires. Emphasis will be placed on businesses in rural areas that were among the last in the region to receive full Internet access and, therefore, have a steep learning curve to climb in order to take advantage of current technologies.
The seminar has been designed for smaller businesses and non-profits in the region, which make up the majority of the region’s employment landscape. Although access to broadband is rapidly improving in Berkshire County, many small businesses do not have the hardware, software, or technical training to take advantage of new technologies. Many small businesses use the internet for research, communications and marketing, but may be either unaware of or unfamiliar with more advanced technologies such as cloud computing, video conferencing, and new methods of electronic marketing.
Winstanley’s portion of the discussion will focus on understanding the myriad tools available to small businesses through the Internet in context of overall marketing planning and execution and how these tools can help a business market its products or services.
He’ll be joined by Matt Sullivan, Project Administrator for MBI, who will offer more
information on the ‘MassBroadband 123’ initiative, and three Pittsfield-based business owners:
- Dave Hall, president of Compuworks, who will address IT infrastructure and strategic planning;
- Jeff VanLingen, owner of QuestConnect, speaking on broadband tools training, and
- Josh Levin,owner of LympheDivas, a small business specializing in fashion-forward compression sleeves for women battling breast cancer, who will offer his take from the broadband customer’s perspective.
The panel discussion at the Beacon is free to attend and will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Nov. 1 with registration, and will include a question-and-answer period. For more information, visit PERCLoans.com or call (413) 499-9371.
About PERC
PERC is a community development corporation that was established in 1982 for economic development purposes. Its primary objective is to foster increased employment opportunities through the growth and development of small businesses in Pittsfield and Berkshire County.
About MassBroadband 123
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute is building more than 1,300 miles of fiber-optic cable to connect 120 communities in western and north central Massachusetts. When complete in mid-2013, the MassBroadband 123 network will expand high-speed Internet access to improve the lives of residents, close the digital divide and bring new economic opportunities to the region.
About Winstanley Partners
Winstanley Partners is a marketing, creative design, communications, and interactive agency located in Lenox, Mass. With a client roster that includes national and regional companies such as GE, Pelican Products, Polar Beverages, Spalding Sports, and more, Winstanley Partners has been recognized by national marketing and design associations such as the American Advertising Federation, New England Advertising Club, American Banking Association, and National Ski Area Association in its 26 years in business. For more information, visit http://www.winstanley.com or call 413.637.9887.