“Ensuring entrepreneurs and small business owners receive the education they need to be able to compete in the global economy is vitally important to the economy of Arkansas and the future of its citizens,” said C. Sam Walls, chief executive officer of Arkansas Capital Corporation and president of Connect Arkansas. “We are pleased to be able to partner with the ASBTDC to extend the reach of these educational programs.”
Connect Arkansas, a project of Arkansas Capital Corporation, received federal stimulus grants to increase Internet awareness, education and use in Arkansas. As part of the grant, Connect Arkansas has partnered with ASBTDC to offer training to current and potential small business owners and their employees.
Spread over a primarily rural, 57-county area, the sessions will assist local businesses with their online presence and online marketing techniques.
For example, the “Website in a Day” workshop will teach business owners how to build effective, easy-to-maintain websites using free online tools. Website in a Day events are already scheduled in Camden, Crossett, Dardanelle, Dumas, El Dorado, Hope, Magnolia and Paris. Details and online registration are available at asbtdc.org/training or by calling (800) 862-2040. ASBTDC will announce additional seminars as they are set.
In each location, the training will be presented by the local ASBTDC office. ASBTDC’s seven centers across the state include the lead office at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and regional offices at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
“To compete in their local markets as well as in the global economy, Arkansas businesses need to embrace the Internet. We are delighted to work with Connect Arkansas to strengthen small businesses by sharing tools, skills and knowledge they can use to reach more customers online and increase sales,” said Janet Roderick, ASBTDC state director.
