LOS ALAMOS, NM— Google named Los Alamos as the 2014 eCity for New Mexico. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) was joined by Google representatives, local officials, and members of the Los Alamos business community to present the award, which was accepted on behalf of the community by Bill Wadt, board president of Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC). The event was held at the Los Alamos Co+Op Market.
“The Los Alamos business community has proven that its reach extends well beyond the store front,” said Sen. Heinrich. “By utilizing the power of the Internet, small businesses in Los Alamos are reaching more customers, creating jobs and growing the local economy. This award recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit New Mexico is known for and encourages business communities across our state to increase their online presence. I congratulate Los Alamos on this tremendous achievement.”
“Los Alamos is a community that loves technology,” said Wadt. “People in Los Alamos – whether our visitors or our residents – expect fast, efficient and friendly online experiences. Given the critical role that technology plays in driving growth and creating jobs, we want to make sure that every business in Los Alamos is embracing the Web.”
The eCity Award recognizes the strongest online business community in each state whose businesses embrace the web to find new customers, connect with existing clients, and fuel their local economies. One city is chosen in each of the 50 states.
Google worked with the independent research firm IPSOS to analyze the online strength of local small businesses in cities in all 50 states.
The Google 2014eCity event was held at the Los Alamos Co+op Market, managed by Steve Watts who spoke at the event about how the internet has helped his business thrive.
“Since opening in 2011, the Los Alamos Co+op Market has used the Web to grow our business while we offer great products and fresh, wholesome foods, most grown within a 300-mile radius of Los Alamos,” said Watts. “Our customers may enjoy squeezing and tasting our produce, but they also go online to learn more about us and our growers from our website.”
Over the next three years, businesses that make use of the web are expected to grow 40 percent faster and are twice as likely to create jobs. With small businesses creating two-thirds of all new jobs, the potential impact of getting these businesses online is enormous. Google hopes that these “digital capitals” will become an inspiration to other areas — throughout the nation — of what can be accomplished by spearheading business development on the Web.
For a complete list of cities chosen in the Google eCity initiative, visit google.com/ecities.