Page 32 - 2024 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

Verizon
Verizon Boosts Small Business Growth in Westchester with $50,000 Grant
Funding fuels innovation, education, and networking Initiatives, including the Small Business Digital Ready Platform, for Westchester entrepreneurs.
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
Verizon has awarded $50,000 to the Business Council of Westchester (BCW) to support a range of programs in 2023-2024. The grant underwrites important BCW initiatives, including the Westchester Innovation Network (WIN), the Political Leadership Series, the Small Business Council and the Westchester Business Showcase, including the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Platform Workshop.
Small Businesses, Big Opportunities
Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready is a commitment- free learning education online platform that allows small-business owners to learn on their own time, at
no cost. The platform consists of short-form videos and articles addressing small business topics ranging from funding and branding, to sound spending decisions
to common cybersecurity threats and search results improvement, as well as peer networking, 1:1 coaching and grant opportunities.
From left, BCW WIN Director Luiz Aragon,
K-12 Coordinator Rocco Varuolo, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca, Verizon Director of External Affairs & Government Affairs April Horton, High School Principal Emerly Hernandez, White Plains High School students, BCW President & CEO Marsha Gordon, Professor Ashley Leblanc and BCW Chairman Jamie Schutzer
Small Business Digital Ready Virtual Events
Recent webinars have covered such topics as an ask-the-expert session on alternative funding for small businesses; a tutorial on short videos for social media; and a question-and-answer session on low-cost tools for running businesses.
Verizon’s platform serves as a support network for entrepreneurs through a mentor-matching program, and peer-networking events. Participants in Small Business Digital Ready can apply for $10,000 throughout the year.
“Verizon is committed to small business growth
and development. Their Small Business Digital Ready platform is an outstanding resource that offers education, coaching, community networking and a marketplace of specially curated tools, products, and services to help businesses achieve their goals,” said BCW President and CEO Dr. Marsha Gordon. “We look forward to continuing in this partnership with Verizon to make positive strides for small-business expansion.”