State Reps. Don Lehe (R-Brookston) and Sharon Negele (R-Attica) are encouraging Indiana small business owners to apply for a free program that will help build their online presence, according to a press release by Indiana House Republicans.
As the pandemic continues, many consumers are avoiding malls and shopping centers where close contact with others is unavoidable and are turning to e-commerce instead.
Launched by the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Project HOPE was designed to provide free technical support in the form of website development, e-commerce support, and other digital tools and services to help small businesses establish or increase their online presence.
"Hoosiers are staying home and choosing to shop online for products and services more and more, especially during the pandemic," Lehe said in the press release. "This new resource provides small businesses the opportunity to increase their online presence to reach the growing number of customers shopping from home."
To qualify for the program, Indiana small businesses must be a client of the SBDC, must have been operating as of Feb. 15, 2020 and must be able to demonstrate a negative impact from COVID-19.
"As a small-business owner, I know how much an online presence can help your business reach more customers and increase sales," Negele said in the press release. "Hoosiers are remaining cautious and continuing social distancing during this pandemic, and they may need another way to connect with local businesses. This free resource provides that opportunity."
The SBDC has partnered with the Indiana University Kelley School of Business to help administer the program. Negele said that Kelley School of Business students and recent graduates are receiving paid internships through this program to assist Hoosier companies with creating or modifying websites, building e-commerce platforms, improving cybersecurity frameworks, migrating data and more. Interns are working under the direction of faculty members, and projects are typically completed within two weeks. According to Negele, over 75 student interns have participated in the program and are providing more than 8,000 hours of support to 97 small businesses in 28 counties.
Through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Indiana SBDC approved $150,000 in federal funding provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration through the CARES Act to support the statewide launch of Project HOPE.
More information about the coronavirus resources and no-cost counseling available to Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses can be found here.