The City of Buffalo has been selected as a launch city for Google's "New York Get Your Business On-line" campaign. Google will offer small business with a chance to get on-line.
"Google is doing this all over the country and has made a major push to do this in New York State," said Mayor Brown.
Mayor Brown said in a couple of weeks Google will be in Buffalo to help up to 120-local businesses. 52-percent of small businesses in the state don't have Websites. The Mayor is encouraging businesses to register. And the Mayor noted it is all free of charge for those who are selected to participate.
"Another thing that is very important is Google will provide one year of free Web hosting to all the businesses that sign up to get their Website developed by Google," said Mayor Brown.
The Google team will be in Buffalo November 18th to offer Web tips to small business owners.
The Mayor appeared outside of Gigi's restaurant on West Ferry in Buffalo Tuesday for his announcement. It is one of many small businesses that does not have a Website.
Darryl Harvin is manager of Gigi's. He hopes to benefit from Google's help so he can build an on-line site to generate a bigger customer base as he experiences some new competition from other soul food restaurants.
"There's more competition with our type of food, soul food, so with more competition we have to be more accessible in ways customers can reach us. But not only for that, but for employment opportunities...We want to continue to be able to be a link for people to log in and fill out an application to work at Gigi's Restaurant," said Harvin.