Sheila Howk's presentation on New Ulm's Local-e-Education program and new Chamber web site given at the Blandin Broadband conference 2007.

1. Broadband Grant, Blandin Foundation New Ulm Presented by Sheila Howk

2. Mission NUREDC will utilize the “Get Broadband Program” to increase the number of retailers who take advantage of broadband for marketing and expanding their business. As New Ulm is faced with big-box retailers entering the community, small businesses must position themselves to succeed.

3. Goals: Goal 1: Increase Broadband use from 57% to 62% in one year Goal 2: Increase retail businesses that have websites/sell on line Goal 3: Create an online NU Marketplace (remodel Chamber website) Goal 4: Reach 25 Retail Businesses with training and resources

5. Grant Budget Hardware/ Software: Digital Camera Printer/Scanner Adobe Full Reader Zip Drives 2 mo. Website hosting for 40 businesses. Retail Education: 101: Setting up a basic web site. 201 : Optimizing your Web site. 301: E-Commerce Chamber of Commerce Website: *Remodel of homepage *Interactive Shopping Guide *Virtual Mall – *Quicker Load time 1/3 1/3 1/3 $30,000

6. New Ulm Chamber website Current www.newulm.com

7. Current showcase of online shopping -

8. Draft of new website: Website being created by Brain Magnet – St. Cloud

9. Showcase New Ulm’s virtual mall At a time where e-commerce growing rapidly , local shops must increase their backdoor traffic to compete in this retail world --according to Rick Segel author of “ The Essential Online Solution”

12. Examples of websites created:

13. During Tech Tuesdays - 101

14. Using templates from “Go Daddy”

18. Local-e-Committees Education - Sheila Howk , Carissa Buegler, Dustan Cross, Kathy Lund, Mary Ellen Domeier, Shawn Jakes, and Larry Hildebrandt Publicity/Marketing – Jim Jensen , Ken Rockvam, Charlie Bornhoft, Sharon Weinkauf, Sheila Howk, Bruce Fenske, Shannon McKeeth, and Nancy Quam. Website – Sheila Howk , Ken Rockvam, Sharon Weinkauf, Jenny Eckstein, Kathy Austinson, Shannon Hillesheim, Toby Freier, Shannon McKeeth, and Jill Augustin Budget/Background – Sheila Howk , Mary Ellen Domeier, Brian Tohal, Anne Makepeace, Donna Lambrecht and Sharon Weinkauf.