Downtown Halifax Business Commission Focus Group
September 9, 1999

Discussion Questions - Key Points Made

1. What are the particular IT needs of the downtown business community that are not currently being met?
   • There was some question if there was a need for more access.
   • There was concern about the impact of free access on private downtown businesses that offer services ( Ceilidh Connection, Second Cup, Javanet, Great Taste, Youth Hostel) as well as existing services provided by the Library and DalTech
   • Needs exist for:
     • Laptop plug-in for business visitors
     • Telephone plug-in for business visitors
     • Free easily accessible information to potential entrepreneurs/businesses on establishing a business (eg; tax information, traffic flow, hard statistical information) - a "one stop shopping place" / Information on e-commerce, web development

2. Who do you think the user community would be?
   • Visitors to the city (e.g.: tourists, cruise ship staff/passengers)
   • Local pedestrian traffic
   • Casual visitors to area
   • Business owners
     • potential
     • existing
     • staff
   • Other groups not geographically specific:
     • Seniors
     • Youth
     • Stay at home mothers

3. What type of training/support is needed?
   • Basic skills - how to use the internet, etc.
   • Information on where to go first
   • There is an underutilization of technology for those that have some skills
   • Possible partnerships:
     • Chebucto Community Net
     • Computer students
     • Other youth groups

4. Where would you see the access being made available?
   • Add ons to existing private services (e.g.: Ceilidh Connection)

Ideas for follow-up:

• Project to pull together the "one stop shopping idea" for business
• Information for potential businesses - maybe a Dalhousie MBA student research project
• Way to have further discussion/input online with other businesses

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