UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN 3rd DISTRICT, NEBRASKA TOM OSBORNE

Washington Round-up | Week of February 11, 2002 | E-Commerce and Business Development Workshops

We have all heard about the momentous achievements made possible by technological advancements over the last 100 years. Men took to the sky and walked on the moon. The Internet melted geographic boundaries and communication barriers. While we are all aware of these accomplishments, they sometimes feel like they occurred outside the framework of our daily lives. But, I believe that the most important technological developments with the potential to revolutionize life in Nebraska’s Third District are both more subtle and easily applied to our daily routines. These tools can increase profitability for an agricultural producer, a restaurateur and a small-business owner. Technology expands markets as well as minds.

I know that technology can be intimidating, especially for those of us who were not raised in this digital generation. As a 64-year-old freshman in Congress, I assure you I understand the challenges. However, technology simply is not optional any more. It is critical to the success of the Third District in the 21st century and beyond. Technology is a necessary tool. Without it, you could fall behind.

We have the infrastructure available in the Third District to successfully “wire” our lives and our businesses. However, many people in the Third District have been hesitant in integrating technology into every day activities—marketing their crops, products and services, building relationships with other agricultural producers or business owners, or taking orders. E-Commerce applies to businesses of any size or type. I believe that e-Commerce has a critical role to play in reinvigorating economic development and economic diversity in the Third District. And, I will do what I can to educate people on how to incorporate technology into their businesses and daily lives. So, on February 18th and 21st, in Blue Hill at the Blue Hill Community Center on Main Street and in Scottsbluff at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center (4502 Avenue I) respectively, I will host two e-Commerce and Business Development Workshops. These workshops are not about Internet Service Providers or tech wizards. They will focus on agricultural producers, retail salespeople, hunters and senior citizens—everyone can benefit from the technology available to us. And, if we don’t embrace it, we’ll all miss out.

Registration for the Blue Hill workshop will begin at 8:00 A.M. In Scottsbluff, registration will begin at 1:00 P.M. During the workshops, I will highlight the critical role technology has to play in Nebraska’s Third District. Five additional speakers will discuss how they became involved in e-commerce, the degree to which they use the Internet for their businesses, how they initially incorporated the technology into their businesses, the cost and what benefits they have found. Additional topics of consideration include businesses that use the Internet to market, advertise or promote physical products; businesses that rely strictly on e-Commerce; e-Commerce and Nebraska’s tourism industry; and the many uses of technology in agribusiness. Presenters will also inform those in attendance of the resources available to help businesses and individuals get started with e-Commerce.

These conferences are free and open to the public. I encourage anyone interested in expanding business opportunities in the Third District to attend. For a registration form, please call (308) 381-5555.