The original Purpose of Grand County Internet Services were:
1. Bring a livable income to the owners
2. Bring local access Internet dial up services to Grand County individuals and businesses
3. Provide information on Grand County to the world.
4. Start a basis for electronic services in Grand County to the world
1. In January, we were finally able to start drawing some income from the business. We will be able to give ourselves a raise to our final income target in July. So, we have been successful in reaching this goal. The business is in good financial shape.
2. There was been a lack of local Internet dial up services in Grand County. We hoped to provide these services in a manner that will satisfy ourselves and the people of Grand County. As these services startup, we incurred large startup costs that have paid for. We planned to price our services so that we could maintain good services for the county as a whole. We also do not plan to do everything, our services should enhance and build up other services in the county.
We have fulfilled most of the above as follows:
3. Our services have been successful in promoting the county to the world. In fact I am amazed on how many Grand County businesses come up on search engines. Our web site has over 40 home pages for businesses and individuals, consists of over 400 pages and almost 2000 files with 46 Megabytes of information related to the Internet. All 4 of the Chambers of Commerce are up on the Internet, 3 of them on our site. We sponsor at no cost the Grand County Tourism board and a listing of all lodging is available on those pages. We are sponsoring mail lists such as the trails alliance and hope to expand those services. We have started making more community information also available on our pages. So in one year we have seen the level of Grand County sophistication on the Internet grow by leaps and bounds.
4. I believed that Grand County would see a flourish of new businesses based upon the Internet once our business starts. Many businesses would just add new services to their existing business to serve their current customers. Many new small businesses would startup based on Internet, these people are waiting and wanting local access just to get started. Many home businesses would be attracted here once local dial up is available. Many people would just want to help and work on the Internet for the fun of it and use it as a great resource.
This is happening. We have several small businesses doing their own web sites, several businesses starting to take on web site development as a new part of their business offerings, and several people are conducting their business from home to their employers out of state! We even have competition in terms of a second Internet provider here now.
Goals for the next year
1. Bring more information about our county on the Internet by improving our web pages even more.
2. Find individuals to help train new computer users how to use their machines to get the most benefit. This one of the most asked for needs we have seen.
3. Continue working with public agencies to improve the education and access of the public and students on the Internet.
4. Continue to improve our services and add value to what we do for our users.
The Internet is a leveling force and allows a lot of power to individuals. I look forward to these individuals and businesses working with me so that we can improve our economic basis. One of the great things about the Internet is that it is relatively non-harmful to the environment and I know this is one thing most residents of Grand County are interested in.
If you are interested in any of the things I have mentioned above, please get in touch with me at 627-0034.
My email address is eden@rkymtnhi.com