Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 28, 1995 TAG: 9510300015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-9 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
More than 70 firms applied for the funding, which will provide up to $390 for businesses to develop advertising and information presences on the Internet.
The businesses represent a wide array of the town's firms. Many are computer- or science-related, but bookstores, real estate firms, retail businesses, auto and bicycle shops and a variety of others were winners.
Ken Anderson, a member of the three-person selection committee and owner of Anderson & Associated engineering firm, said grant winners had to have a Blacksburg business license and could not already have home pages on the Internet.
He also said the committee selected businesses that were not branch offices of larger companies.
The intent in choosing winners was to provide for economic development, he said. "My viewpoint was to be sure that we helped businesses that were bringing in money from outside of town."
"It's a little bit of uncharted territory for us, but I certainly see it as a step in the direction that most people will end up going anyway," said Lisa Robertson, owner of New Life Bookstore, which was awarded $390.
Brenda O'Reilly, owner of Images by B hair salon, said she agreed to submit an application when a local "web builder" approached her about it. She said she wanted to offer educational information, though she admitted she wouldn't mind the advertising benefits.
"There are things we can do that would be beneficial to the consumer, but the end result would be beneficial to us as well."
Robert James, president of Internet Business Technologies, which will create home pages for five of the grant winners, said the home pages, which will likely be reached through the Village Mall on BEV, may be one-of-a-kind.
"It is very unique in the country. There has been no place that I've seen that has produced so much information on local businesses."
Anderson said his civil engineering firm has had a home page since March.
"We've gotten a lot of very beneficial recognition out of it. ... We get contacted from all over the world."
The grant winners may use their award money to create home pages. The businesses must pay for monthly maintenance and upkeep costs, which often are less than $100. BEV Inc. will pay the Internet access providers, several of which exist in Blacksburg, directly when the grant winners submit an invoice.
by CNB