Expectations associated with the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout in Bundaberg next year will heighten the regions awareness of the benefits of the digital economy.
Bundaberg Regional Council is at the cutting edge in promoting the advantages regional businesses can embrace through being digitally ready to link with opportunities created via the NBN rollout and other areas of digital communication.
Council has launched its Digital Ready Champions Program and aims to establish a dialogue with ten small to medium business operators across a broad cross section of economic areas including agriculture, tourism, food processing, retail and professional services.
Council’s Economic Development portfolio spokesperson, Cr. Greg Barnes said many regional business operators and residents remain baffled by the term “digital economy” and the manner in which it could relate to their social and business lives.
“Basically it means engaging with new technology to improve social communication and business networking possibilities.”
“Everyone should be aware of the opportunities, both social and business related, that can be created and accessed through integrating with information and communication technology.”
Cr. Barnes said the Digital Ready Champions Program would involve the use of a qualified information and communications technology (ICT) provider working directly with the ten identified business to assess their digital readiness.
“The involvement is entirely free although there is an expectation that businesses entering the program will provide the necessary access, reporting and resources to ensure required outcomes are available from the process,” said Cr. Barnes.
“In return, each business will be mentored to ensure their capability to fully embrace new technology and to take advantage of opportunities as they arise through the digital economy.”
Cr. Barnes said an ICT provider would be appointed early in the new year and applications from small to medium business enterprises for involvement in the program would close on January 12, 2013.
For more information on how to be part of this exciting program please go to:
http://www.businessbundaberg.com.au/news/participate-in-bundabergs-digital-ready-champions-program
10-12-2012