February 10, 2004
WebEasel Partners with The Library Channel
Thanks to techShow 2003, two Champaign County technology companies have entered into a business partnership that will benefit our whole community. TechShow, an annual event hosted by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), provides opportunities for local technology companies and consumers to meet, mix, mingle, and see what's happening technologically right here at home. The Library Channel of Champaign and WebEasel, Inc., of Urbana, were introduced at techShow in September; four months later they have become business partners.
WebEasel, Inc., brings to the partnership it's new WebEasel software - a web-keeping software that allows anyone anywhere to keep their website up-to-date and requires no technical skills. The software is delivered over the internet, so there are no programs to install on your computer. If you have an internet connection and you can type, you can edit your website - it's that easy.
The Library Channel LLC was established to create a virtual library, comprised of premium Web sites selected by professional librarians, which is widely recognized as the most credible, comprehensive, and easy-to-use resource for quickly accessing high-value Web content. The vision of The Library Channel is to become the largest, highest quality, and most profitable collection of premium Web sites in the world.
When the Library Channel moves into a community, they work to establish an online resource of websites that describe and represent what the community has to offer. However, it's often the case that many small businesses and organizations in a community find the web intimidating and costly - therefore, they don't have a web presence at all. The Library Channel LLC has partnered with WebEasel to offer the community "Weblets", single page websites that can be edited using WebEasel. Weblets offer our local businesses who do not have websites the opportunity to establish a web presence at very little cost. Once online, these businesses become part of the resources the Library Channel offers in its web collections. With this partnership, the Library Channel and WebEasel, Inc., are making it easy for our community businesses to both get online AND be highly visible.
"The Library Channel and WebEasel have been meeting regularly to create new business opportunities and have had the pleasure of meeting the needs of several clients already," said WebEasel President Lori Patterson. "The EDC's techShow has allowed our companies to establish a unique business relationship that we are very excited about and we look forward to continued growth together."
Sean Williams, High Tech Director for the EDC, is responsible for managing programs and services focused on providing opportunities for new and existing high tech companies in Champaign County. "A fundamental role of the EDC is to assist in creating linkages between companies that may have synergies with others locally. In the past year, we have met with nearly 100 high tech firms and have been successful facilitating meetings, introductions and networking programs that have the potential in resulting in new business opportunities."
The Library Channel CEO Steve Johnson explained that his company opened its doors in July 2003 and the success it has experienced in Champaign County with the assistance of organizations such as the EDC. "When you are the new company on the block, the most critical element of your business plan is to meet people and get the word out. The EDC has provided substantial opportunities for us to meet other entrepreneurs, investors and clients and their staff continues to provide assistance to the business sector so that we can grow as a business community."
Recently, The Library Channel and WebEasel hosted a reception specifically to bring their staffs together and celebrate the new partnership. The EDC was also an invited guest and has since been formally recognized as the "matchmaker".