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September 13, 1999
ROCKEFELLER SPONSORS BILL TO HELP WEST VIRGINIA SMALL BUSINESSES PARTICIPATE IN E-COMMERCE REVOLUTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) announced today that he has sponsored legislation to help West Virginia small businesses tap into the rapidly growing electronic commerce market. E-commerce — the buying, selling and delivery of goods and services via computer networks — was a $100 billion business last year and could reach more than $1 trillion in the next five years.
Rockefeller said, “E-commerce is experiencing explosive growth, creating new opportunities and new challenges for businesses. Through the Internet, West Virginia products can be bought and sold around the world, expanding economic development and job opportunities in our state. While the Internet is opening new markets and increasing productivity, it is also creating real risks for small businesses that are not on-line. Many West Virginia companies are ready to maximize the potential of electronic commerce, but too many others need help to make sure they are not left behind.”
The Electronic Commerce Extension Establishment Act of 1999 would create a service modeled after the Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service that would provide on-the-ground assistance to small businesses — particularly those in rural and isolated areas. The e-commerce Extension Service would advise businesses on the right technology and techniques they can use to sell goods on-line and take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Internet.
“Unfortunately, it is our hard working small businesses that often don’t have the time, expertise or resources to plot and implement an e-commerce strategy,” Rockefeller continued. “They may understand the importance of e-commerce, but simply don’t know who to turn to for assistance. By providing needed resources and guidance, the legislation I have sponsored will make certain that these companies get a helping hand. It will ensure that small businesses in even the most rural areas are given the opportunity to fully participate in electronic commerce.”
The e-commerce Extension Service would remove some of the barriers preventing small businesses from getting online by providing answers to such questions as: How do I sell over the Internet? Can I buy supplies over the web? How do I use encryption to collect credit card numbers? What servers, software and telecommunications will I need and how much will it cost?
Co-sponsoring this legislation are Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD).
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