Muskoka Community Network Helps Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
Adopt E-Business Strategies
BEAM Applicants May Receive up to $2,000 Towards Related Costs
August 8, 2011 – MUSKOKA, Ontario - Muskoka Community Network (MCN) today announced that it is accepting new applications for its BEAM program.
“The manner in which broadband is used by businesses today is equally, if not more important, than having a high speed internet connection,” said Rob McPhee, Executive Director, Muskoka Community Network. “To fully leverage the economic potential of the web, businesses must seriously consider the adoption of an E-Business strategy, and Muskoka Community Network is here to help.”
The BEAM program (Broadband for E-business And Marketing) provides financial assistance to small and medium sized enterprises wanting to leverage E-business tools such as online payment systems and social media. The program also provides assistance to businesses wanting to establish a presence on the web for the very first time.
To date, MCN has assisted over 70 businesses under this program and now has the resources to accept new applications.
Small and medium sized businesses operating on a full time basis in Muskoka may apply by calling Muskoka Community Network at 705-646-9044, or by visiting www.mcnet.ca/ebusiness/beam/
Eligible applicants may receive up to 75 per cent of supported costs including web design, development and implementation, to a maximum of $2,000. The program is being made available for a limited time, while funds last.
In conjunction with this program, Muskoka Futures Development Corporation also has financing available for technology investments. For more information, visit www.muskokafutures.ca/loaninfo.html
Further supporting small and medium sized enterprises, Muskoka Community Network recently announced the High-Speed Internet for Remote Areas program (Hi-SIRA) to help rural and remote businesses of Muskoka secure access to high speed internet by way of an extended antenna. Hi-SIRA is a modified version of Muskoka Community Network’s Satellite Internet Remote Areas (SIRA) Program which offered financial assistance to establish a satellite broadband connection.
Hi-SIRA
“While Muskoka Community Network is proud to have brought high speed internet connectivity to 85 per cent of Muskoka, we are aware of the fact that some businesses remain located beyond the reach of existing broadband services,” said Rob McPhee, Executive Director, Muskoka Community Network.
“The barrier is often topographical in nature since variations in elevation may or may not lend themselves to the nearest signal,” added McPhee. “It is for this reason that we are offering a contribution towards the purchase and installation of an extended antenna that will bridge a successful connection to an internet service provider.”
Eligible applicants to the Hi-SIRA program may receive up to 75 per cent of supported costs including external (to the dwelling) connectivity equipment or structures and installation fees, to a maximum of $1,000.
Hi-SIRA is being made available for a limited time, while funds last. Small and medium sized businesses operating on a full time basis in Muskoka may apply by calling Muskoka Community Network at 705-646-9044, or by visiting www.mcnet.ca/broadband/sira/ Hi-SIRA is not available to cottagers, private homes or hobby businesses.
ABOUT FEDNOR
FedNor is a federal regional development organization in Ontario that works with a variety of partners, as both a facilitator and catalyst, to help create an environment in which communities can thrive, businesses can grow and people can prosper.
To date, Muskoka Community Network has secured 2.5 million dollars in public funding from FedNor and has facilitated approximately 1.5 million additional dollars of technology investment in Muskoka. 1.7 million dollars was secured for broadband (high speed) alone. Additional funding has been allocated towards improving online communications for our communities, and providing training on how best to leverage online opportunities.
ABOUT MUSKOKA COMMUNITY NETWORK
Muskoka Community Network (MCN) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2000. On December 31, 2010, MCN exceeded its prime mandate to bring high speed internet to 80 per cent of the un-serviced population within Muskoka. Today,
overall access to high speed internet in Muskoka has reached 85 per cent. This represents an incredible jump from the 12 per cent coverage rate recorded in 2006.
Muskoka Community Network also provides the training necessary to use high speed internet to its maximum potential. If you are interested in training opportunities, or to book the Business and Technology Centre of Excellence for your next meeting, visit www.mcnet.ca
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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Rob McPhee
Muskoka Community Network
705-646-9044 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 705-646-9044 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Alison Withey
Blue Whale Communications Inc.
705-783-4218 (mobile)
For more information on broadband and technology in Muskoka, visit the Muskoka Community Network website at www.mcnet.ca
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