BEV Billboard Website Program
A billboard website presents your information at a glance, just like a billboard on the highway. Blacksburg Electronic Village employs unpaid interns from local communities to provide website development work at no cost to the end user. These interns are looking for real world experience working directly with customers and with technology and design resources.
What is offered under the program?
A billboard is a one page website with static content. This content might include contact information, a marketing message, and store hours. You work directly with an intern under BEV's supervision. This 'starter' site can be hosted (no charge through June 30, 2005) through your community's Virtual Business Incubator or Community Connections program.
Who is eligible?
The billboard service is offered to individuals, non profit organizations, and businesses that are home based or that have fewer than 5 employees ("microbusinesses") in the following Virginia counties: Accomack, Craig, Cumberland, Dickenson, King & Queen, Lousia, and Northampton. Applicants must sign up for a VBI or CC web hosting account and should not have an existing website.
How does it benefit me?
Everyone can benefit from a web presence. The internet is a key portion of the US economy and communications infrastructure. For a business, web presence means global market presence. For any group, a website allows 24 hour access to information, products, and services. This means fewer demands on your clerical staff to answer questions and provide information.
Why is BEV doing this?
This program is being offered not only as part of our commitment to the TOP Grant and the counties served by it, but also as part of Virginia Tech's outreach mission. Since its launch in 1992, one of BEV's main objectives has been outreach through technology.
Who can be an intern?
BEV is always looking for new faces. Many of our interns are students interested in careers in web design or IT. Some work in our Blacksburg location, and others work from home or public computer labs. If you are interested in volunteering, contact BEV Office.
How do I sign up?
Download the billboard request form, sign it and mail or fax it back to us. We want you to be satisfied with our work, so we ask that you take a look at Website Prewriting to help get you thinking about what you'd like for content on your site. After your application has been received at BEV, the intern assigned to your project will contact you.
