The Lanark County project has been the most successful of all the test sites. All available spots on the first phase of the local project have been filled. Thirty-one new spaces have now been made available to local businesses. The county was chosen to be part of the pilot program largely because of the success of LCN and Community Access Program, which maintains 24 free public access Internet locations throughout the county. Project funding comes from Industry Canada and company partnerships.
Businesses maintain their own Internet sites.
Some already had their own sites, others developed one for the program. Website training is provided, allowing businesses to change merchandise or prices on the site themselves. When an item or items at a particular store have been chosen, on-line shoppers follow easy instructions to link to a special secure site. Delivery and credit card information can then be entered. The credit card details go directly to the bank, Mr. Leitch said, which looks after the transfer of funds - the merchant never sees the credit information.