Even after a year, small businesses are still being challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic Winrock International has just announced the launch of it's Small Business E-commerce Local Learning (SELL) project to support small businesses in NWA.

• Some helpful context: Winrock International is a recognized leader in U.S. and international development with a focus on social, agricultural and environmental issues, founded by Winthrop Rockefeller.

• Funded by the Walton Family Foundation, the SELL program fuses Winrock’s entrepreneurial programming support, coaching, and mentorship. The goal - to provide 150 small businesses in NWA with websites, e-commerce platforms, training, and long-term consultation.

• The pandemic has created a new set of challenges for small business, particularly for those lacking an online presence. However, having an online presence is almost essential to any modern-day business. According to Clutch, e-commerce is growing 23 percent a year, yet 46 percent of American small businesses do not have a website.

• “Traditional brick and mortar small businesses have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic because of lower foot traffic... We look forward to connecting small businesses in NWA with the capabilities, training and support to break into online sales.” said U.S. Programs Senior Director Linsley Kinkade. -Winrock International