Small businesses in targeted low-income areas of San Diego and Imperial counties will benefit from the $225,000 recently awarded to the Connectory.com, a Web site developed by the East County Economic Development Council.
The program is designed to increase business opportunities in low-income areas by linking businesses via the Internet.
Companies listed on the Connectory.com network receive a free online listing that ranges in value from $225 to $1,500 per company per year.
The Web site is designed to raise the companies’ exposure and increase traffic to their Web sites. The online brochure provides information about the company’s products and services, core capabilities and capacities to potential customers, strategic partners and candidate workers.
The $225,000, which includes a recent $112,500 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and matching funds from the county of San Diego and other organizations, will assist numerous manufacturing, technology, supplier, construction, and agribusiness companies assisted by the program.
“The EDA and our very generous partners who are providing a dollar-for-dollar match for this grant are allowing us to extend the proven benefits of the Connectory.com to include primary industry businesses which might not otherwise have a presence on the Internet,” said Deanna Weeks, president and CEO of the East County EDC.
Other organizations contributing to the project included Union Bank of California, SDG & E;, Cox Communications, Pacific Bell, San Diego National Bank, US Bank, Community First National Bank and Comerica Bank.
“The Connectory.com is a valuable resource, one that has evolved into a dynamic communication tool thanks to contributions from federal government, local agencies and private sponsors,” said county Supervisor Dianne Jacob. “We anticipate that many business owners in our underserved communities will expand their markets substantially giving them the opportunity to compete in a much larger arena.
“By helping them, we are also reinforcing the region’s economic base.”
