U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced a small business development initiative for southern West Virginia will roll out to McDowell County in the coming weeks. The efforts of Congressman Rahall and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) are helping small businesses in southern West Virginia obtain access to broadband technology and increase their profit by opening their doors to the global economy through the Internet.

"This initiative, which I have worked hand-in-hand with ARC to develop, puts technology to work to put West Virginians to work," said Rahall. "I am proud to bring these new avenues in the world of e-commerce for our small businesses to McDowell County. Using the business services available from the Internet means profit and job creation for West Virginia, we can not only better compete, but we will excel. The three "T's," transportation, technology and tourism, are all being served with this initiative."

"I am committed to helping our small businesses in southern WV increase their bottom line, develop new sources of revenue, reduce the cost of supplies and services, better serve existing customers, and perhaps most importantly, enter new markets," Rahall said.

Rahall announced the new E-commerce initiative for southern West Virginia in March. After a successful first run of the initiative in Summers County during April, it was expanded to other counties across southern West Virginia.

Today Rahall announced that the initiative's classes will be offered in McDowell County at the Premier Learning Center, 750 Stone Cold Branch Road, Premier, W.Va. The class will take place on Tuesday, Oct.18 and Wednesday, Oct.19 from 6-9:00 PM. To register, call Jean Hall, Project Coordinator, McDowell County Economic Development Authority, at 304-436-3833. The cost is $15.

This initiative will be rolled out to 11 counties in southern West Virginia by the end of 2005. "This is a small business builder for all of southern West Virginia. It will create new jobs in our area and help our local businesses reach the global marketplace. I encourage anyone with a small business to take advantage of this program," concluded Rahall.