Upstate United Receives $100,000 from Verizon to Support Small Business Digital Inclusion in New York State
November 9th, 2023
Upstate United, a non-partisan, business and taxpayer advocacy group, is proud to announce that they have received a $100,000 award from Verizon as part of the company’s Digital Equity and Inclusion Program. The investment will be divided between the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, North Country Chamber of Commerce, and Capital Region Chamber of Commerce and will be used at their discretion to support a wide variety of businesses and community partners.
According to the New York State Digital Equity Portal, over one million New York households lack broadband internet at home. These barriers impact small business owners who need the skills and resources to succeed in an increasingly digital economy.
“Verizon’s support of the small business owners that UU and four of Upstate’s largest Chambers of Commerce represent is significant,” said Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United. “This investment will go far to close the digital divide that’s prevented so many entrepreneurs across Upstate New York from achieving their full potential in today’s complex economy. We are grateful for Verizon’s partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to advance digital equity and make New York a more accessible place to live and do business.”
“At Verizon we believe that small businesses are essential for fostering economic growth, community cohesion and cultural pride” said Tony Lewis, Vice President of Public Policy for Verizon. “Through our Citizen Verizon responsible business plan, we have a goal of supporting 1M small businesses with the resources they need to thrive in the digital economy. We are committed to listening to and meeting communities where they are by partnering with innovative organizations to deliver the tools and skills that can drive meaningful change for businesses and help them succeed.”
The funding announced today will be critical to uplifting local small businesses through digital readiness and inclusion programs across New York State. The chambers will have the ability to utilize their monies to support programming that will expand knowledge and capabilities in, as well as access to, digital technologies to assist underserved communities including rural, low-income and MWBEs.
“Broadband and digital commerce are especially challenging in our region and we welcome Verizon’s commitment to assist,” says Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “We are just joining with several regional partners in stepped-up advocacy for addressing significant remaining broadband gaps in the Adirondacks while also working to assist small businesses in maximizing digital opportunities. This support comes at a great time. Onward and upward!”
“Expanding broadband is vital for New York’s communities, particularly those that have been historically marginalized and underrepresented. Reliable internet fuels remote work, telehealth, education, and innovation and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce continues to support employing public-private partnerships to achieve that access,” said Bob Duffy, President and CEO of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. “Thank you to Verizon for supporting this critical mission. New York has made important strides in this space, and we look forward to working with our partners in government and the private sector on ensuring connectivity for all.”
“Verizon has long-been a valued partner in our work,” said Mark Eagan, President and CEO of the Capital Region Chamber. “This grant will support our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Business Growth Initiative to help accelerate the growth of businesses that have encountered barriers of inequities.”
“Our Chamber recognizes the unique challenges small businesses face every day, particularly when it comes to access to broadband, technical resources, and skills training programs,” said Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance. “Through our partnership with Verizon’s Digital Equity and Inclusion Program, we will enhance our existing K-12 Workforce Development and Talent & Leadership programs as well as provide much needed support to our MWVBE’s through workshops designed to promote digital readiness. This investment is crucial to the success of our small businesses, and we can’t thank Verizon enough for their generous support.”
Upstate United has a longstanding commitment of advocating on behalf of fiscally responsible policies that aim to benefit Upstate taxpayers, small businesses, and the communities that hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers call home. This partnership with Verizon is another example of how the coalition strives to encourage economic growth and overall advancement of Upstate priorities.