Bluefield, WV – The Bluefield WV Economic Development Authority (BEDA) has now completed seven websites and counting through the MyBluefield Website Development Program (WDP), a program funded by a Rural Business Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
BEDA created the WDP in response to the shift COVID-19 brought of consumers purchasing goods and services online as well as the local need discovered within the community. In 2021, BEDA conducted a Local Business Website Study which tracked 80+ businesses physically located in the City of Bluefield and found that among them, 43% did not have a website, and 35% had poor quality or minimally functioning website. The data collected showed 78% of these businesses needed help with their online presence.
Thus far, seven local businesses have received a new website to help them boost online engagement and accommodate their customer's needs digitally. There are also currently five in the process of having their new website designed. The seven completed websites are as follows along with their respective links:
Omnis Building Technologies (Housing Manufacturing Company): obtbluefield.com
Swiftnet Integration LLC (Technology Company): swiftnet.us
GigaBeam Networks (Internet Service Provider and Technology Company): gigabeam.net
L.A. Gates Company (Engineering Firm): lagates.com
Sweet ThingZ Cupcakery (Bakery): sweetthingzwv.com
Body and Skin (Massage Therapy and Skin Care Business): bodyandskinwv.com
Brandie's Bouquets (Floral Designer): brandiesbouquets.com
Scroll through the slide show to view the homepage of each website.
Our new website is up and running! We want to give the biggest thank you to the Bluefield WV Economic Development for providing us with this opportunity. Their support has been essential to our growth! They have so many resources for small businesses in our area. -Body and Skin Owner
BEDA is still accepting applications to the program for interested individuals who own a business in Bluefield, West Virginia. Applications will officially close this May. Businesses physically located within city limits can apply to receive a new e-commerce site, a new static/informational site, or updates to their existing website.
Businesses accepted into the program must attend (or delegate a qualified staff member to attend) all pre and post-training, purchase web hosting and a domain name, provide high-resolution photos/videos and copy for the site, and consider enrolling in the Small Business Success Center Entrepreneur's Bootcamp "Starting a Business" or "Business Expansion" course.
If you are interested in the program, you can view the full eligibility requirements and apply here: mybluefield.org/wdp
Questions regarding the program and/or eligibility can be directed to Jim Spencer at jspencer@bluewv.org
– Faith Blackwell, BEDA Marketing and Administrative Assistant (fblackwell@bluewv.org)