Google and Downtown Middletown Inc. announced a new Grow with Google Digital Coach for small businesses at a free digital skills workshop in Middletown, Ohio in partnership with Miami University Regionals. The workshop is a part of a new partnership between Grow with Google’s Digital Coaches program, Main Street America, and Downtown Middletown Inc. to provide small businesses in small towns with digital skills training.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for small businesses in Middletown and state-wide to develop skills to help them compete locally, nationally and globally. Downtown Middletown Inc. is honored to be part of this economic vitality program,” said Jeff Payne, Executive Director of Downtown Middletown Inc.

According to the Connected Commerce Council, nearly 80% of small business leaders say that adopting digital tools during the last two years created new opportunities for their business. To help more small businesses in Ohio’s small towns learn digital tools, Janet Hurn who resides in the area will serve as the newest Grow with Google Digital Coach in the state. Hurn has spent more than 30 years at Miami University and working with small businesses to build strategic plans and partnerships to advance their goals. Led by Janet Hurn, today’s workshop “Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps” focused on helping businesses learn new tools to grow online. 

Grow with Google Digital Coach Janet Hurn working with Robert Henderson, business manager for Mz. Jade's.

“Google is committed to creating economic opportunities for small businesses in Ohio,” said Lucy Pinto, Senior Manager of the Grow with Google Digital Coaches program. “We are proud to partner with Downtown Middletown Inc. to help more small businesses and entrepreneurs in Ohio grow their online presence, reach new customers, and unlock additional sources of revenue.”

“In an ongoing effort to revitalize Ohio’s small downtowns, the Grow with Google program and training is a logical next step for our communities. Small business support means meeting those businesses where they are and providing them tools to grow, and Janet is already moving Ohio businesses in the right direction,” said Frances Jo Hamilton, Director of Revitalization for Heritage Ohio.

Since 2017, the Grow with Google Digital Coaches program has trained more than 160,000 small businesses. Grow with Google Digital Coaches are local marketing experts and entrepreneurs who help diverse small businesses grow. The coaches provide digital skills training, hands-on coaching, and opportunities to meet and learn from successful entrepreneurs.

To learn more and sign-up for an upcoming local workshop, please visit: g.co/grow/digitalcoach-janet-oh

About Grow with Google

Grow with Google was started in 2017 to help Americans grow their skills, careers and businesses. It provides training, tools and expertise to help small business owners, veterans and military families, jobseekers and students, educators, startups and developers. Since Grow with Google’s inception, it has helped more than nine million Americans develop new skills. Grow with Google has a network of more than 9,000 partner organizations like libraries, schools, small business development centers, chambers of commerce and nonprofits to help people coast-to-coast.

About Heritage Ohio

Heritage Ohio., works to revitalize and preserve their traditional commercial districts. They provide technical assistance for communities desiring to develop their own local Main Street programs by utilizing the Main Street Approach™ – a common-sense approach to tackling the complex issues of revitalization by capitalizing on a traditional downtown or commercial district’s history and identifying the unique assets of the community itself. The Downtown Middletown Inc., is housed within the Heritage Ohio the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Ohio’s economy.