The Enterprise Center, Inc. (a program of Rural Opportunities, Inc.) and the Allegany Business Center have partnered to offer The Finger Lakes Trading Cooperative program in March!

 

The Finger Lakes Trading Cooperative program is looking for rural business owners that would like assistance entering the world of e-commerce.  The program provides the loan of a Kodak Digital Camera and a laptop computer for six months, if needed, and qualified participants can apply for startup and expansion loans. Opportunities to network with other business owners and technical assistance and training are also available. 

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton started this program with the assistance of Rural Opportunities, Inc. The idea was to expand the market for rural artists and businesses. Rural businesses can take advantage of this unique opportunity to expand their market with a 24/7 storefront. Your business can access previously inaccessible markets using the Internet as a resource to upcoming generations that accept technology and telecommunication as a given.

Kodak supported the program in the past with the donation of funds for the laptops and digital cameras. They continue to show their commitment to the community by providing additional support this year.

Small businesses with fewer than ten employees benefit the most from being on-line, 35% gain 10 to 99 percent of current sales directly or indirectly from the Internet. On average, Web users are upscale (25% have income over $80K), professional (50% are professional or managerial) and educated (64% have at least a college degree).  Approximately 14% (2.5 million) of Web users have purchased products or services over the Internet.