CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Google will bring its ‘Grow with Google’ tour to cities and towns across Tennessee in August, including Clarksville.
The economic opportunity initiative aims to help job seekers and small businesses learn the digital skills they need to succeed through onsite instructional training led by visiting Google teams, presenters and coaches.
“Google is committed to helping Tennesseans thrive in the digital economy. We’re proud of our relationship with the state,” said Stephen Brokaw, Community Engagement Manager. “Last February, we announced that we are opening a data center in Clarksville. In 2017, Google search and tools helped Tennessee businesses, website publishers, and nonprofits generate $2 billion in economic activity.”
The tour will come to Clarksville on Wednesday, August 15 at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Library (350 Pageant Lane Suite 501) from 1-2:30 p.m. To learn more about the free event and to register, visit g.co/GrowTennessee. Space will be limited; so please register in advance.
“Strong digital skills have never been more important for everyone in this innovation economy, especially for jobseekers coming to the library looking for assistance,” said Library Director Martha Hendricks. “Grow with Google is designed specifically to help people build these digital skills, which is why we are so excited to be a partner in bringing them to Clarksville.”
Throughout the course of the scheduled events, Google representatives will provide:
• Workshops focused on digital skills, coding, online safety, data analytics, improving online business presence – and more;
• Available one-on-one coaching sessions on Google Spreadsheets and other GSuite Tools, in addition to Google AdWords, Google Analytics, Google My Business, Gmail and Google Calendar
• Onsite training for library, nonprofit and education professionals on how they can use Grow with Google’s free tools & resources to help small businesses & job seekers in their own communities.
“Grow with Google provides opportunities for seasoned and new entrepreneurs to learn more about the importance of digital marketing and how to take a startup from inception to reality. We are excited to partner with them to assist entrepreneurs in our community learn ways to grow in a digital world,” said Lorneth Peters, Director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center in Clarksville.
In addition to its host libraries, Grow with Google looks forward to building lasting partnerships with these local organizations: Clarksville Chamber of Commerce, Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, and Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Austin Peay State University.
“The vast majority of people derive incomes from jobs, but many current employees and job-seekers lack digital confidence. The inability to complete an online application or to create a spreadsheet are barriers to employment or advancement within a company,” said Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas. “Goodwill believes that all people should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential through the power of work. Grow with Google also helps people build their digital confidence, which is why we are so excited to be a partner in bringing digital skills training to Clarksville.”
“We are excited to welcome the Grow With Google initiative to our community in August. This program will be beneficial to our local businesses by offering free workshops that will help sharpen the skills businesses need quickly and easily,” said Melinda Shepard, Executive Director of the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce.