jane@hpuxa.ircc.ohio-state.edu (Jane M. Fraser) (07/12/90)
Subject: August 9 symposium in Columbus, OH On Thursday, August 9, the Center for Advanced Study of Telecommunications will hold a one day symposium "Telecommunications for Ohio Economic Development: A Computer Network for Small Businesses?" The symposium will be at the Ramada University Hotel, 3110 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH. Existing computer networks do not address the business needs of small and medium sized companies. Since such companies often provide a great deal of employment and a great deal of growth in employment, but are often technologically behind large companies, there are large opportunities to enhance economic development by providing various services to such companies. Services might include electronic mail, electronic file exchange, bulletin boards, and access to large computers. Development of such a network might be a suitable use of public funds. The State of Ohio might consider encouraging such a network as a way of aiding small and medium sized companies to grow and to convert to producing products needed in a peace economy. The symposium will address issues of economic development and the needs of small businesses. Various existing computer networks will be demonstrated. The preliminary program follows. 8:30-10:00 Jane M. Fraser ``A Proposal" Alan B. Albarran ``The Nature and Needs of Small Businesses" Alex Cruz and Jane Fraser ``What Exists" 10:00-10:15 Break 10:15-noon Edwin P. Parker: ``Telecommunications and Economic Development" Noon-1 Lunch 1-2 Dave Spooner, Economic Development Officer, Manchester (England) City Council staff. As part of a large program in telematics, the City of Manchester is setting up a computer that would serve as a host for many uses by small and medium sized companies, labor unions, community groups, and so forth. 2-3:15 Panel from outside Ohio: Kay Lutz-Ritzheimer, Montana Entrepreneurship Center John Niles, Global Telematics, Washington Anthony Roso, Jr., Colorado Office of Economic Development 3:15-3:30 Break 3:30-5 Panel from inside Ohio Richard C. Decker, Ohio Network for Information Exchange Keith Ewald, Ohio Bureau of Employment Services T.M. Grundner, Cleveland FreeNet and National public Telecomputing Network Tim Steiner, Ohio Department of Administrative Services No-host cocktail party follows in Ramada atrium. Registration, which includes lunch, is \$20 (payable to CAST/OSU). As a nonprofit education center, CAST seeks to keep the cost of its symposia low to encourage attendance. Scholarships are available. For more information, contact: Jane M. Fraser Associate Director, CAST 210 Baker Systems, 1971 Neil Avenue The Ohio State University Columbus, OH 43210 614-292-4129 jane@hpuxa.ircc.ohio-state.edu fraser@ccl2.eng.ohio-state.edu