A big break for small businesses is coming from the Federal Communications Commission.

As part of a national broadband plan rolled out in March, the FCC wants to make high-speed Internet and digital technology more accessible, affordable and manageable for businesses across the country.

Through collaboration with other federal agencies and departments, the FCC is developing new programs to help entrepreneurs and business owners use broadband Internet to reduce operating costs, eliminate geographic barriers, interact with more potential customers, increase sales through e-commerce, implement new marketing tools like social media and even improve employee training.

The FCC's broadband initiatives to support small businesses include:

• Work with the Small Business Administration to provide programs that offer business owners better information technology training.

• Incorporate broadband and online applications into federal business support programs to give business owners access to a nationwide network of resources and experts.

• Work with the Department of Labor to create a website that connects unemployed workers with jobs and facilitates job training.

Employers throughout Western Pennsylvania should be on the lookout for new initiatives emerging from the FCC's implementation of its national broadband plan over the next few years.

-- David Oberdick
Meyer Unkovic & Scott
dgo@muslaw.com

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