Ruiz, Grow with Google, and Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce to Hold Virtual Workshop for CA-36 Small Businesses

Press Release

Palm Desert, CA -- On Monday, September 13 at 1:00 pm PT, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) will join Google and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce for a virtual workshop for local small businesses as part of the tech company's "Grow with Google' initiative. "Grow with Google' aims to help create economic opportunity in communities across the United States by providing free training, tools, and expertise for people across their country to grow their skills, careers, and businesses. More information and event registration can be found at g.co/Grow/CASmallBiz.

Ruiz will join the workshop to welcome participants and reinforce the importance of digital skills for local small businesses in Palm Springs.

"I'm excited to partner with Google and the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce to help connect our local small business owners with the digital resources they need to thrive through the pandemic and beyond," said Dr. Ruiz. "Our small businesses are the backbone of our efforts to Build Back Better, create jobs, and boost our local economy. We are at our strongest when we invest in American families and small businesses, and I am committed to continuing to deliver the resources and relief that our local businesses need to grow."

The virtual workshop, "Connect with Customers and Manage Your Business Remotely," will be led by Roberto Martinez, the Grow with Google Digital Coach for the Southern California region, and share resources to help entrepreneurs manage their business during a crisis. Topics will range from how to update critical business information online to best practices for virtual meetings and events.

A recently conducted study by the Connected Commerce Council found that over 87 percent of California small businesses increased their use of digital tools -- services, platforms, and marketplaces -- during the pandemic. 93% of California small businesses expect to continue to use digital tools at the same or a higher rate than during COVID-19, and 81% feel digital tools are either important or essential in operating their business.

""The goal of our "Grow with Google' workshops is to provide more business owners across the state, especially in underserved communities, an opportunity to successfully harness the power of the internet for their success," shared Erica Swanson, Head of Community Engagement for Grow with Google "We're proud to partner with local partners, like the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, to spread awareness of how digital tools can help the Palm Springs small business community thrive."

"Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) recognizes the great talent pool of entrepreneurs and local professionals that we have in the Coachella Valley," said Emily Falappino, President and CEO of the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber "We are proud to partner with Grow with Google and continue investing into our valley's employers and employees by hosting educational events like this one that provide people with the new information, skills, and opportunity that they are seeking."

About "Grow with Google'

"Grow with Google' draws on Google's 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow. Through this initiative, Google aims to help everyone across America -- those who make up the workforce of today and those who will drive the workforce of tomorrow -- access the best of Google's training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses. For more information, please visit Google.com/grow.

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