City's E-Commerce Grant Has First Customer, Success

By Amber Lester Thursday, August 12, 2010

Only a few weeks ago, Lori Jakubow was looking to sell her work to a larger audience. Now, she has customers in California, New England and the Midwest.

Jakubow is the first Williamsburg business owner to take advantage of the Economic Development Authority’s E-Commerce Grant, which gives businesses money to build or update a website. Jakubow launched her site, http://www.lorijakubow.com, recently and has already sold pieces to customers across the country. Jakubow’s site features a gallery of her work, a biography section and an online store, where customers can purchase her custom tote bags, giclée prints and original paintings.

“As an artist and local business person, a website is essential,” Jakubow said. “It connects you to viewers instantly and without time or space barriers.”

She said she applied for the EDA grant because it was a fantastic business opportunity that allowed her to reduce overhead costs and put resources back into growing her business. She calls the exposure from the website “amazing,” and said she has also attracted new art students through the site. “The grant money will allow me to proceed with plans that may have had to be in a later phase of development,” she said.

The city launched the newest incarnation of its grant program in March; previously, the city partnered with Vectec, a web design company that used to be affiliated with Christopher Newport University. Under that program, The Fife and Drum Inn, Retro’s Good Eats and Premier Services and Solutions received grants.

When CNU was forced to cut its partnership with Vectec due to budget constraints, the city could no longer work with the company. Instead, the city decided to open the program up to all website providers, said Economic Development Director Michele Mixner DeWitt.

The grants can cover up to 50 percent of the total project cost, with a maximum grant of $1,500. Jakobow’s project cost around $1,500, so her grant was for $750. From the initial start-up funding from the city, $13,000 is still available, DeWitt said.

To qualify for the grants, businesses must be for-profit, possess a city business license and be located in Williamsburg, with no locations outside the city. The grant is available to start-up businesses, as well. Businesses must get quotes for the planned work from two website providers before applying, then complete the application found here.

Grant applications are submitted to DeWitt, who then presents them to the Economic Development Authority for approval. Once approved, businesses can pay for the work and then receive a reimbursement from the EDA.

“One of the EDA’s goals is to work with businesses to enhance sales and make Williamsburg an even more attractive place to live, work and visit,” said Monty Mason, chairman of the EDA. “Lori’s experience is so important not only because the E-Commerce Grant has enabled her to enhance her business and gain international exposure, but also because she sets an important example by taking an active role in improving her business by taking advantage of every tool available to her. We hope to work with other businesses in order to replicate her success and capture the power of E-Commerce.”

For more information about the program, click here.