News Release
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NORTH BAY, Ontario, April 20, 2015 – To support regional small businesses in their efforts to embrace e-business technologies and develop digital skills, Blue Sky Net, the technology division of Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation, announces the third round of funding is now available for BEAM, the Broadband for E-business and Marketing program.
According to 6 month and one year surveys in Blue Sky Net’s service areas, so far from the last round of funding, 25 new jobs were created as a result of the program and 16 part-time jobs were created, because of the increased business that new websites or improved search engine optimization produced. Additionally, 23 jobs were retained after participating in the program that may otherwise have been eliminated.
BEAM is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises develop, enhance or expand their websites or search engine activities, by implementing e-business applications.
E-business goes far beyond simply having a website and access to broadband. It also means using all the tools available over the Internet to help facilitate business. Not all e-business activities have to be complex or costly to achieve benefits.
The program helps alleviate the associated costs of upgrading E-business applications. BEAM provides a framework to help small business define their business objectives and ensure that the right technology is implemented to achieve the desired outcomes. BEAM is the bridge between a non-technical business owner and their chosen vendor. Blue Sky Net will work with the businesses to help them define their objectives and ensure the appropriate E-business tools are chosen and leave the technical aspects of E-business development to their chosen vendor.
E-Business can help cost-effectively market businesses in the region, enhance visibility and accessibility for customers and suppliers, lower the costs associated with business transactions and strengthen our competitive advantage. Online E-Business tools might be any combination of the following: Website Design, E-commerce, E-Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Optimization, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Product fulfillment, Business to Business (B2B) Transactions, and Analytics.
The program provides a rebate for up to 75% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $5,000. In conjunction with the program BSN will encourage applicants to participate in a consultation process and training opportunities to ensure they are adequately equipped to utilize the E-business applications.
According to Susan Church, Executive Director, “key to the program is that recipients must work with vendors from Northern Ontario, so it is a win-win for all businesses, in that it helps with the costs for the business in need of e-business technologies and brings new clients to e-business development companies in our area.”
Blue Sky Net is a non-profit organization that delivers technology development in the districts of Nipissing, Sudbury East, Manitoulin and all points in between.
Interested individuals can access applications and criteria on the Blue Sky website:
