Frye, Lyness: Free Program Helps Hoosier Small Businesses Build Online Presence

The Indiana SBDC approved $150,000 in federal funding to support the statewide launch of Project HOPE.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – State Reps. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) and Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison) encourage Hoosier small-business owners and entrepreneurs to apply for a free program that provides direct technical support to help build their online presence.

"Now, more than ever, it is important for businesses to establish and grow their online presence," Frye said. "Some local business owners just need some help getting their website started or making it more user friendly, and this new resource can provide them with this much-needed support."

The Indiana Small Business Development Center launched Project HOPE and recently partnered with the Indiana University Kelley School of Business to support long-term economic recovery of Hoosier small businesses and entrepreneurs. Lyness said through the program, eligible companies may apply for no-cost assistance to help establish or increase their online presence through website development, e-commerce support, and other digital tools and services.

"We know more and more business is being done online, but many people haven't had the time to learn how to develop and maintain a website," Lyness said. "These resources could equip business owners with the knowledge to not only launch a business website, but to also understand how to enhance it to attract more traffic."

To be eligible, Indiana small businesses must meet the following criteria:   

• Be an Indiana SBDC client;
• Have been in business as of Feb. 15, 2020; and
• Be able to demonstrate a negative impact from COVID-19. 

Lyness said Kelley School of Business students and recent graduates can receive paid internships through this program to assist Hoosier companies with creating or modifying websites, building e-commerce platforms, improving cybersecurity frameworks, migrating data and more. Interns are overseen by faculty members, and projects are completed within two weeks. According to Lyness, more than 75 student interns have participated in the program, providing more than 8,000 hours of support to 97 small businesses in 28 counties.

Through the Indiana Economic Development Corp., the Indiana SBDC approved $150,000 in federal funding provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration through the CARES Act to support the statewide launch of Project HOPE. To learn more about COVID-19 resources and no-cost counseling available to Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit isbdc.org/indianacovid19smallbusiness.