OTTUMWA, IOWA (April 13, 2023) — Google and Main Street America have announced a new Grow with Google Digital Coach for small businesses at a free digital skills workshop in Ottumwa. 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. The Digital Coach, Lindsey Newland, will serve as the first Grow with Google Digital Coach in the state.
Newland is a small business owner, and a Business and Marketing Specialist at Main Street Ottumwa, where she helps businesses in her community implement fresh digital content. She also works with storefronts to implement e-commerce strategies to drive new income streams.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Grow with Google to be the program’s first Digital Coach in Iowa,” said Lindsey Newland. “Through the program, I’m excited to help small businesses in Iowa learn new skills to thrive online and increase their earning potential.”
"Small businesses are the backbone of Iowa’s rural economy, and it is critical they have the tools needed to succeed in today's digital world," said Representative Zach Nunn. "We’re working to provide digital skills training to help Iowa’s businesses find new customers and access new opportunities.”
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 Iowa’s small towns learn digital tools, Newland will host ongoing workshops in small towns throughout the state to help businesses learn essential digital skills.
“Google is committed to creating new economic opportunities for small businesses in Iowa,” said Maggie Kash, Public Affairs Manager, Google. “We are proud to partner with Main Street Ottumwa to help more small businesses and entrepreneurs in Iowa grow their online presence, reach new customers, and unlock additional sources of revenue.”
Since 2017, the Grow with Google Digital Coaches program has trained more than 160,000 small businesses. Over the last year, more than 187,000 Iowa businesses received requests for directions, phone calls, bookings, reviews, and other direct connections to their customers from Google tools. To learn more and sign-up for an upcoming local workshop, please visit: g.co/grow/digitalcoachIA.
About Google in Iowa
Google has called Iowa home for nearly fifteen years after its first data center in Council Bluffs came online in 2009. Since then, Google has invested more than $5 billion in Iowa and established a long-term commitment to the state. Google has created jobs for more than 900 people at its Iowa facility and has awarded more than $3 million to local schools and non-profits in Iowa.
