Helping businesses and nonprofits in small VT towns use online tools to spur economic development and improve disaster resilience.
When discussing social media with nonprofits, the number one question I am asked is: “How can I get more people to like my organization’s Facebook Page?” There are a few basic first steps, including inviting your friends, using the build audience function to invite your organization’s email list, and making sure your Facebook page is…
On October 3rd, I had the great pleasure of moderating an educational panel at the Vermont League of Cities & Towns Town Fair 2013. The purpose of the panel was to educate municipal leaders from the four corners of the state on how they can leverage digital tools to build community resilience and improve overall…
On September 23rd, the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) in Waterbury hosted an IBM “Strategies for Social Media” workshop for Vermont’s emergency managers and their extended partners. The purpose of the workshop was for the IBM consultants to gain inputs needed to assist Vermont in creating a road map for using…
A goal of our grant is to assist towns, business and nonprofits in using technology to be more prepared in the case of another disaster. This effort includes encouraging communities to learn to communicate with their residents through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Front Porch Forum (which we’re excited to have just…
This article is written by Patrick Ripley, VtSBDC Director of e-Commerce Wilmington was one of many southern Vermont communities hit hardest by Hurricane Irene in the late summer of 2011. Its tight-knit business community has stuck together, and continues to take steps to improve awareness of what they have to offer Vermont travelers. “Our building…
Offering highly accessible digital workforce education was a key part of the Vermont Digital Economy Project. Project partner Microsoft delivered the cutting-edge Microsoft IT Academy Program ® (ITA) to provide free online digital workforce education through selected Vermont institutions and libraries. The Microsoft ITA prepares students and educators to succeed by providing access to the latest…
The work directly conducted by the Vermont Digital Economy project staff and partners was augmented by targeted strategic assistance from IBM, through the deployment of IBM Service Grants which contributed matching funds to the project. Introduced in 2010, IBM Services Grants enable recipient not-for-profit organizations to enhance their IT infrastructure, leadership, and technology skills. The…
The Vermont Small Business Development Center is a key partner in the Vermont Digital Economy Project. We are happy to announce their new guide, created after Irene to help businesses move forward in post-disaster situations. While the guides are meant to be used after such a disaster, reading through the checklists can also be helpful…
In each town that I work with to install a Wi-FI zone, the experience is a little different, which is one of the things that makes the culture of Vermont unique. Every town has its own social structure, and its own set of people and organizations who care deeply about their town. Thanks to these…
Lost dog found in Waitsfield, plow service recommended in Pownal, school board minutes shared in Newport, car break-in reported in Colchester, baby stroller given away in Tinmouth… and the list goes on. Everyday Vermonters use FrontPorchForum.com to connect with their neighbors and build community by sharing postings like those above with the people who live…