City aims for local business promotion

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The City of Austin has officially launched a Web site to promote local businesses in Austin. The Web site highlights 275 businesses in five small business districts in the city. The Web site uses a mapping tool to highlight local business owners through video interviews.

Areas in the initial phase of the project are East 11th and 12th streets, South First Street, Guadalupe Street, North Loop, and East Sixth Street. Council Member Sheryl Cole is pushing the project, though it costs $100,000 for implementation. Cole said the project got funding in 2006 when the city had a strong economy.