Washington Update (sorry for formatting):
For Immediate Release Contact: Jack Gribben
October 15, 1998 (202) 456-7010
YEAR 2000 COUNCIL KICKS OFF ?NATIONAL Y2K ACTION WEEK?
Helping to Prepare Small and Medium-Sized Businesses for the New Millennium
October 19-23, 1998
Citing ongoing concerns about the lack of preparations for the Year
2000 (Y2K) computer problem among many of the Nation?s small and
medium-sized businesses, the President?s Council on Year 2000 Conversion
today described plans for ?National Y2K Action Week,? October 19-23, 1998,
to promote action on the problem by these companies.
During the Week, Federal agencies including the Commerce Department
and the Small Business Administration (SBA) will use their national
field-office networks to conduct hundreds of educational events and
outreach activities designed to help managers of small and medium-sized
businesses address the Y2K problem. Materials promoting the Week will
appear in the Nation?s post offices and in major newspapers across the
country.
?Let no one be mistaken. The Y2K problem could spell doom for any
small or medium-sized company that isn?t prepared,? said Council Chair John
A. Koskinen, who was joined by U.S. Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley
and SBA Administrator Aida Alvarez at today?s press conference held at the
Commerce Department. ?The goal of this week is to give these businesses
the informational tools they need to help ensure that their systems are
ready for January 1, 2000.?
The field office efforts will focus on helping managers to assess how
their businesses may be vulnerable to the Y2K problem, both in their own
computers and embedded systems and in relationships with outside service
providers, develop strategies for remediation and replacement work, find
technical resources for addressing the problem, and formulate contingency
plans. Citizens can get information about events being held in their area
by calling 1-800-U-ASK-SBA or at www.y2k.gov or www.sba.gov/y2k.
The Commerce Department will use its network of field offices to
encourage small and medium-sized businesses to act on the Y2K problem. In
particular, Commerce is well positioned to promote Y2K action among small
and medium-sized manufacturers and minority-owned businesses through its
400 manufacturing extension partnership offices, 104 export assistance
centers, and 65 minority business development centers, many of which will
be holding events during the Week.
"While publicity about the Year 2000 problem is widespread, many small
and medium-sized businesses have not yet assessed their risk," said Daley.
"But time is running out. If these firms do not pay attention to this
potential problem today, they risk losing customers, or even their
business. The Commerce Department field office effort during National Y2K
Action Week will help these businesses address this urgent problem."
With its 1-800 number and Y2K web site section, SBA has been a key
source of information for small businesses in need of guidance on how to
best address the Y2K problem. During the Week, SBA will hold nearly 250
educational events at field offices and with resource partners across the
country. More than 450 events will be held over the next two months.
?We have been working hard to help the Nation?s 23 million small
businesses understand that they need to confront this critical challenge,?
said Alvarez. ?SBA events during Y2K Action Week will advance our efforts
to help these companies answer the critical question: Are You Y2K OK??
The President?s Year 2000 Council has also been working with more than
150 national organizations, representing industries, professions, State and
local government, and the non-profit sector, who have agreed to encourage
their members to act on the Y2K problem and take advantage of the
educational opportunities available during the Week.
Highlights of the Week will include:
Educational events and outreach activities held by many of the
following:
the Commerce Department?s 400 manufacturing extension partnership
offices, 104 export assistance centers, and 65 minority business
development centers;
SBA?s 69 district offices, 950 small business development centers,
52 business information centers, 69 women?s business information
centers, and 17 tribal business information centers;
the Agriculture Department?s 3,100 county extension offices; and
the Social Security Administration?s 1,350 field offices.
Promotional materials including:
National Y2K Action Week posters that will appear in the Nation?s
post offices,
a commemorative National Y2K Action Week cancellation mark that
will be issued in major cities,
advertisements about the Week that will appear in leading
newspapers across the country, and
an Internal Revenue Service mailing, to 6.5 million small
businesses, of SBA Y2K awareness materials.
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