Google hosted local Savannah business owners, startups, and job seekers for its Grow with Google event at Service Brewing Company in downtown Savannah. More than 150 participants attended the two digital training sessions, which connected them to resources and training needed to grow their skills, careers and businesses online.
 
“Grow with Google aims to help create economic opportunities for Americans,” said Stephen Brokaw, Community Engagement Manager for Grow with Google. “We know Savannah is a great place to work and start a business, and we are honored to be here to teach digital skills that will help people in this community take advantage of the tech economy.”
 
The day’s workshops and training focused on topics such as online marketing, introductions to Google’s Search and Maps applications, email basics and search engine optimization as well as 1:1 resume coaching sessions with Google staff.
 
The Grow with Google initiative began to help create economic opportunity through skills training needed to prepare for work, find a job or grow a business. Savannah was chosen as a stop along the nationwide tour because of its reputation as a regional center for tourism, manufacturing, shipping, education and healthcare as well as its vibrant small business community.
 
The event was hosted at Service Brewing Co., a veteran-owned and operated local craft brewery. The brewery’s co-founder Kevin Ryan recognizes the importance of Grow with Google’s mission and its potential impact on small businesses in Savannah.
 
"Service Brewing Company is excited to host Grow with Google's stop in Savannah. Small businesses like mine increasingly rely on our online presence to expand the reach of our business and bring people to our brewery,” Ryan said. “This event is a great way for members of Savannah's small business community to improve their digital skills and take their businesses to the next level.”
 
Grow with Google partnered with many local organizations to bring its tour to Savannah, including Chatham County, City of Savannah, College of Business Administration at Savannah State University, Georgia Southern University Center for Applied Cyber Education, Goodwill Southeast Georgia, Metropolitan Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Savannah Economic Development Authority, Savannah SCORE, Step Up Savannah, and The Creative Coast.
 
“It’s a natural fit for CACE to partner with Google to produce the Grow with Google Savannah event,” said Scott Scheidt, executive director, Georgia Southern University Center for Applied Cyber Education. “We are dedicated to supporting education that imparts the skills and concepts the 21st-century cyber workforce needs.”
 
"The skills that are being taught at the Grow With Google event are a great complement to the educational programs and mentoring services SCORE offers to aspiring entrepreneurs and future business leaders in our community,” said Michael Siegel, Chair, Savannah SCORE, “We appreciate Google's partnership with SCORE and are pleased that Google has chosen Savannah as one of the cities to launch this great program."
 
“Grow with Google is an exciting opportunity for Savannah businesses to enhance their digital skills and local search presence,” Manuel Dominguez, Office of Business Opportunity Director, City of Savannah. “The City of Savannah is thrilled to continue an ongoing partnership with Google by offering follow-up webinars at the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center.”
 
“The College of Business Administration at Savannah State University is committed to continuing the mission of Grow with Google by providing our faculty, staff, students and the local community with quality educational resources that will promote their ability to make intellectual contributions and engage in professional relationships that will positively impact their growth and development as community business leaders,” Shetia Butler Lamar, Computer Information Systems Program Coordinator, Savannah State University
 
A study found that less than half of 18- to 25-year-olds are reported to believe their education gives them the skills that they need to even enter the country’s workforce, and one-third of jobs will require skills that aren’t common in today’s workforce by 2020. Google hopes to address these education demands nationwide through partnerships with cities and organizations that can develop ongoing training programs for young people and new entries into the workforce.