Cooperative's grant to help small firms go global

CANTON — Some of St. Lawrence County's smallest businesses will get one-on-one help with Web site design, marketing strategies and growing profit margins thanks to federal funding.

The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce announced Monday that its Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative received $200,000 to expand small businesses and take them to the global market. With the latest round of funding, the cooperative has brought together seven partners to work with up to 45 entrepreneurs, crafters and artists who have already gone through the program's classroom instruction.

"We'll be providing them with direct services," said Ruby J. Sprowls, cooperative coordinator.

Business owners will learn topics ranging from how to display their wares at trade shows to diversifying their market from SUNY Canton's Small Business Development Center, the Clarkson Consulting Group, the business management and entrepreneurship program at Paul Smiths College and Fuller Ventures, a private consulting firm.

Kathleen A. Kelly-Ori, founder of Stellar Marketing Solutions, Massena, will work with entrepreneurs to develop promotion plans and increase customer interest.

Web site development companies Design Delineations, Norwood, and Site-Seeker, New Hartford, will critique online operations and help with design, development and management.

Jessica Ricco, a Bloomingburg photographer, will meet with business owners to develop photos, Web sites and videos.

"It gives us other thought patterns," said Christopher J. Smith, owner of Spalted Arch, a Brasher Falls custom furniture maker. "We all need help keeping on the straight and narrow."

The cooperative was started in 2003 with $50,000 in federal funding that was used to buy laptop computers and digital cameras. The chamber and Clarkson University provided business training sessions. The program has expanded to other regions and away from its focus of teaching entrepreneurs how to sell products on eBay.

The cooperative has worked with 65 businesses since its inception. The latest round of funding will last for two years.