For More Information

Susan Breon

814-898-6500

susan.breon@ebizitpa.org

eBizITPA Gives Area Businesses a KICK into the World of IT

ERIE, PA (January 5, 2004) --- The Center for eBusiness and Advanced Information Technology (eBizITPA) is holding a series of KICK-OFF events to announce its newest program-- IT Kickstart. eBizITPA and the Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC) hope to accelerate the use of e-business and information technology (IT) for small and medium sized Northwest PA companies by providing grants to fund IT projects as well as expertise to get the projects moving.

EBizITPA will hold three informational KICK-OFF presentations:

January 27 Erie – Courtyard Marriott Ambassador Room 8:00-9:30 AM

January 28 Clarion – Structural Modular Incorporated (SMI) 3:00-8:00 PM

January 29 Warren – Holiday Inn 8:00-9:30 AM

The Erie event will feature Richard Overmoyer, the Deputy Secretary for the Office of Technology Investment of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Mark Squeglia, Program Manager for eBizITPA, will present details of the program and how to participate. A continental breakfast at the Erie and Warren events will be sponsored by Distributed Network Services (DNS).

“By implementing an information technology strategy, businesses increase their competitiveness and efficiency – which impacts their bottom line. However, productivity often requires investment, and this program is designed to make it more affordable to invest in technology,” said Susan Breon, President of eBizITPA. “During our first year of operation we piloted several new concepts for growing e-business in this region and eventually statewide. IT Kickstart encourages businesses who have been thinking about using technology to improve one of their business processes to ‘put the gear shift in forward’,” Breon explained. “The program not only impacts businesses in need of technology investment, but it provides an avenue for software and IT providers to gain new customers and increases opportunities for IT knowledge workers in the region.”

Businesses interested in learning more about the program, asking questions, and meeting the people that can help should RSVP for the event before January 23 by visiting www.ebizitpa.org/Itkickstart or calling eBizITPA at 814-898-6500.

The Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT is a state-wide Ben Franklin Technology Authority initiative designed to help Pennsylvania businesses and organizations understand and use information technology and e-business tools. It is headquartered in Erie, PA and located on the Internet at www.ebizitPA.org.

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A Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority Initiative