FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 2004

Contact: Jessica White, Telework Tampa Bay, Ph. 727-570-5151

Sandi Moody, Bay Area Commuter Services, Ph. 800-998-7433

Stuart Anderson, UrbanTrans Consultants, Inc., Ph. 720-570-3343 x106

Three Seminars Highlight Telework Tampa Bay Kickoff

TAMPA, Fla. – Telework Tampa Bay, a partnership between the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) and Bay Area Commuter Services, Inc. (BACS), is set to kickoff in early February. The Telework Tampa Bay program is designed to develop telecommuting programs as pilot projects with area businesses, both public and private sector. The TBRPC and BACS have selected UrbanTrans Consultants, Inc. to conduct the first phase of the program, which will promote telework/telecommuting primarily within Hillsborough County (Pinellas businesses will be targeted in Phase II) and educate businesses/employers on the benefits of telework.  During the initial campaign, BACS and TBRPC staff will recruit a minimum of 15 employers to host 12-month pilot telework programs within their worksites and will develop case studies on those programs to be used to expand the program to other employers in the region. 

Three seminars planned for February 9-11, 2004 are designed to help Bay Area employers learn about the benefits of successful telework programs. Topic discussions will include how telework can be a viable option for businesses, what type of jobs are well-suited for telework, what type of personal and professional characteristics employees and supervisors will need to be telework candidates, and other important topics concerning Telework Tampa Bay.

The attached overview gives seminar details. For more information or to register to attend a free telework seminar near you, contact Jessica White at ph. 727-570-5151, or BACS at 800-998-7433.

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