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State creates Web site for businesses

Gov. Judy Martz on Friday unveiled a new Web site — B2BMT.com — that provides an online business locator with a free Internet presence for all active Montana business.

Gazette State Bureau

Business-to-Business Montana, or http://www.B2BMT.com , "is a dynamic online resource that promotes active Montana businesses, allowing them to better position themselves to compete in the new economy," Martz said. She said the public-private partnership would help every Montana business to increase its bottom line.

It was developed by Martz’s Office of Economic Opportunity in partnership with Sofast Communications of Great Falls, which was selected through a competitive bid. The site is intended to allow businesses to showcase their products and services to local customers as well as businesses and consumers worldwide.

"We are excited to deliver this tool to the Montana business community," said chief business officer Dave Gibson. "The Internet and Internet commerce are her to stay."

Calling it a major initiative for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Gibson said the state is taking a leading role in providing the Internet presence for Montana businesses.

Electronic commerce has grown fast nationally over the past decade, he said. Statistics show business-to-business electronic sales totaled $990 billion in 2000 nationally, he said. From 1999 to 2000, business-to-consumer sales grew by 65 percent, from $40 billion to $66 billion.

Gibson said through B2BMT.com, legitimate Montana businesses have a free Internet presence, with basic information provided automatically that lists a company’s name, address and phone number. Companies can sign a user agreement with the state to allow companies to manage their profiles online and includes additional services such as a company description, a link to the company’s Web site and a keyword option.

About 80,000 Montana businesses are listed on the Web site, Gibson said.

Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises.

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