Rural E-Commerce Program

Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership

E-commerce is fast becoming a central part of doing business today. At the urging of the Governor, we are helping rural Alaskans to have an Internet presence so they can sustain their rural lifestyle by selling their goods and services over the Internet. We are developing a comprehensive statewide rural e-commerce program, and we want you and your community to participate.

E-Commerce Centers

We are setting up a number of e-commerce centers with public access computers, so you don’t even need to own a computer to sell over the Internet. Talk with your local leaders to see if your community wants a center. AMEP will provide the computers, digital cameras, scanners, printers and training sessions with materials. The local host needs to provide a physical space for the computer kiosk with public access, a broadband Internet connection, a person who can provide limited oversight and support for users, and the local host needs to help with writing the community web page.

Internet Portal

We are creating an Internet portal to be a single Alaska storefront where buyers and sellers can meet on the Web. Buyers will easily find the Alaskan item the want, whether it’s a Kotzebue bed & breakfast, a fishing charter in Hoonah, or an ivory carving from Savoonga. Sellers will be able to post their items and services easily, and communities will be able to have an Internet presence. The portal also will contain many resources for people and communities, such as distance education, governance, health and more.

The portal website will offer these benefits to buyers, sellers and communities:

· Storefront where you can post your items for sale;

· Audio files so you can tell buyers your story;

· Search function where buyers can search the storefront by community, by industry or by keyword to find what they want quickly and compare to similar items;

· A resource area for e-commerce training materials, distance education, governance, health, local links and other useful tools of the Internet.

Training Program

The core of any e-commerce initiative is a great training program with long-term goals. With local support and interest, we will come to your community and deliver a comprehensive training program that may include two or three or more visits over a year. We will train-the-trainer and provide written materials so local e-commerce center hosts have the tools they need to respond to local needs. Our training modules are flexible so you get the right training for your unique needs.

Please call Eric at 279-2637 ext. 331 to discuss the next steps.

This program is available because the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community &

Economic Development and NIST/MEP are investing in your success.