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‘Guiding The Future of Innovation’: Google Awards Brooklyn Chamber $125,000 Grant to Give Businesses the Online Tools to Succeed

February 9, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2018

Chamber to Partner with Citywide 5 Chamber Alliance to Expand Go Digital! Throughout New York City

Google has awarded $125,000 to the non-profit arm of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Alliance, to expand the group’s highly successful Go Digital! program throughout the five boroughs. The program provides free, on-site digital marketing assistance to mom and pop retail establishments in low-income neighborhoods focusing on immigrant-owned businesses, helping them set up online business profiles across various Internet and social media platforms. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has already served over 450 businesses with Go Digital! Now, the program will expand throughout New York City thanks to a partnership with the 5 Chamber Alliance. In the first 30 days of Go Digital’s implementation in Brooklyn, participating businesses received nearly a million views online and 60 percent indicated they saw immediate increased revenue.

The expansion of the Go Digital! initiative is a part of the Brooklyn Chamber’s Centennial Education Initiative. In addition to bringing the Go Digital program citywide, the Brooklyn Chamber will generate a train-the-trainer curriculum to teach students and others how to provide digital marketing tools to businesses. It will also plan and execute a forum to guide the future of innovation in Brooklyn over the course of one year.

“The Go Digital program empowers small businesses in high-need communities throughout Brooklyn to utilize their digital footprints, attract customers and increase revenue absolutely free of charge,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Andrew Hoan. “Thanks to Google’s incredibly generous grant, we’re thrilled to be able to expand this program throughout the five boroughs, bringing smart, commonsense training to hundreds of businesses across New York City with the 5 Chamber Alliance.”

The Brooklyn Chamber has been helping businesses utilize digital marketing tools since 2014. A pilot of the program was funded by the New York City Economic Development Corporation in 2013.

“Google is thrilled to stand alongside the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce to celebrate 100 years of service and commitment to this amazing community. We were fortunate to work with the Chamber on the launch of their Go Digital initiative two years ago and the program continues to have a positive impact on Brooklyn’s small business. Our hope is that more small businesses across New York will benefit from Go Digital as the Chamber expands the program to all 5 boroughs. Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and when they succeed our communities grow and thrive,” said Carley Graham Garcia, Google Head of External Affairs for New York.

“We thank Google for this amazing grant, which will provide needed digital marketing assistance to businesses throughout New York City for free,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Denise Arbesu. “This program will give small businesses in low-income communities the digital tools they need to succeed, and hopefully encourage job creation and economic growth.”

“The Queens Chamber has hosted workshops with Google in the past and their commitment to small and medium size business has been terrific; said Thomas J. Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We thank them for their support of this 5 Chamber Grant.”

Bronx Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Nunzio Del Greco said, “As President and CEO of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, I am excited to work with the other members of the 5 Chamber Alliance in partnership with the TD Bank Charitable Foundation and Google.org, to coordinate enhanced services in support of businesses and individuals in low to moderate income and immigrant communities. This partnership ideally aligns with the Mission of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.”

“We are pleased to partner with Google and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce to offer ‘on the ground’ Go Digital Services to Staten Island business owners. Small businesses need to effectively use social media and digital marketing platforms to stay competitive. Unfortunately, many business simply can’t carve out the time to attend workshops and seminars…however, this service will be delivered directly to their door. The result, enhancing their ability to promote their products and services and be more successful,” said Linda Baran, President & CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.

“We are excited to partner with the other borough-wide Chambers to deliver meaningful help to small businesses throughout the city,” said Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “Thank you to TD Bank and Google for making this happen.”

About the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is the largest and fastest-growing Chamber of Commerce in New York. It was named 2017 Chamber of the Year by The Business Council of New York State. The Chamber promotes economic development across the borough and serves as an advocate for its member businesses. Its mission is to promote a healthy and robust business environment throughout Brooklyn. The Chamber celebrates its centennial in 2018.

About the 5 Chamber Alliance

The 5 Chamber Alliance is the coordinated efforts of the Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens Chambers of Commerce. Together, the 5 Chamber Alliance pools its resources on initiatives to better support small businesses and low to moderate income communities throughout the City of New York. The modern incarnation of the 5 Chamber Alliance began in 2012.

About Google

Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Google has been proud to call New York home for the last eighteen years and is committed to being good neighbors and active contributors to our local community.

Media Contacts

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Meredith Daniels
718-875-1000 Ext. 134
[email protected]

Google
Kayla Conti
[email protected]