TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (OBV) – Google is helping small businesses in Oklahoma by teaching digital skills that will help grow those businesses.
A new Grow with Google Digital coach for small businesses was recently announced during a free digital skills workshop in Tahlequah.
Jarrod Foster, who resides in the area, is the newest Grow with Google Digital Coach in the state. He will help small town businesses in Oklahoma learn digital tools, according to Oklahoma Department of Commerce officials.
“Reach More Customers Online with Google,” the workshop held in Tahlequah, helped business personnel learn new tools to grow online.
“Having an online presence certainly helps even the playing field in this global economy and it’s the one area that many of our smaller businesses struggle with the most,” said Buffy Hughes, Oklahoma Main Street Center director. “Equipping them with the resources and knowledge to better leverage themselves will help even the smallest of communities in Oklahoma. We are excited about this opportunity to Grow with Google.”
The workshop was offered through a new partnership between Grow with Google’s Digital Coaches program, Main Street America and Tahlequah Main Street to provide small businesses in small towns with digital skills training.
Almost 80 percent of small business leaders gained new business opportunities after adopting digital tools over the last two years, according to the Connected Commerce Council. Foster has spent several years helping businesses build strategic plans and partnerships to advance their goals .
“Google is committed to creating economic opportunities for small businesses in Oklahoma,” said Lucy Pinto, Senior Manager of the Grow with Google Digital Coaches program . “We are proud to partner with Tahlequah Main street to help more small businesses and entrepreneurs in Oklahoma grow their online presence, reach new customers, and unlock additional sources of revenue.”
The Grow with Google Digital Coaches program has trained more than 160,000 small businesses since 2017. The program includes digital skills training, hands-on coaching and opportunities to meet and learn from successful entrepreneurs, Commerce Department officials said.
“We are thrilled to work alongside Tahlequah Main Street and the Grow with Google team to bring free digital skills training to small business owners in Oklahoma,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO at Main Street America. “Led by local expert, Jarrod Foster, these trainings will equip business owners with the skills they’ll need to thrive in an increasingly digitally based economy. On both a local and national level, we believe supporting local entrepreneurs is essential to creating more vibrant neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and Main Streets. In Tahlequah and beyond, this partnership is instrumental in helping us continue to work towards this goal.”
Visit g.co/grow/digitalcoach-jarrod-ok to sign up for a local workshop and learn more.
