Google names Whitefish state's eCity for 2013

Tech giant Google has honored Whitefish for its robust online business community by naming it as Montana’s eCity for 2013.

The eCity Awards are given to cities that represent “the new digital capitals of America” by embracing the Web to find new customers, connect with existing clients and fuel local economies,” a press release by Google notes.

“Whitefish’s growth and innovation in e-commerce is an example that other cities across the state can strive to replicate,” said Scott Levitan, Director of Small Business Engagement at Google. “Google is proud to recognize this growing entrepreneurial spirit and the role it plays in creating jobs and sustaining local economies.”

Google and an independent research firm analyzed the online strength of local small businesses across the U.S. They weighed a variety of factors to determine the leading cities, including the likelihood of small businesses to have a website, use a blog, promote themselves on a social network, sell goods directly from their webpages and whether they had a mobile-friendly website.

“Given the critical role that technology plays in driving growth and creating jobs, we need to make sure that every business is embracing the web,” said Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld. “I am so proud of the Whitefish small business community for leading the charge in Montana.”