U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced a small business development initiative for southern West Virginia will roll out to Greenbrier 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 Greenbrier 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 West Virginia 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.

Kim Cooper, Executive Director of the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is locally sponsoring the training, agrees with Rahall and said the training is especially important to Greenbrier County, where tourism is the top industry.

"This exciting new program will benefit everyone involved, from the small business owners to potential consumers," Cooper said. "The merchants of Greenbrier County offer a variety of products unique to the region and by incorporating e-commerce into their business plans they will expand their business opportunities while attracting new visitors to the area."

Rahall announced the new E-commerce initiative for southern West Virginia in March of 2005. The initiative will be rolled out to 11 counties in southern West Virginia.

Today Rahall announced that the initiative's classes will be offered in Greenbrier County at the New River Community & Technical College, Computer Lab Room 316 on the Lewisburg campus.

The class will take place on March 14 and March 15 from 6-9:00 PM and will be open to 24 participants. The registration fee of $15 is due in advance and must be received by March 8. To register, contact the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-833-2068 or locally at 304-645-1000 or by email at info@greenbrierwv.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

"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.