American Hometown Heroes program has grown from serving 1,800 communities in five states, to over 40,000 communities in 49 states nationwide.
Traverse City, MI – Nov. 10, 2014 – According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate among military veterans is nearly double the national average. The American Hometown Heroes (AHH) program was launched by members of the Association of Directory Publishers (ADP) in 2011 to address this issue, by promoting veteran entrepreneurs in their civilian business endeavors and by assisting them in the first critical year of their new business.
Through the AHH program, returning military veterans wishing to start a business can receive professional marketing strategy and Yellow Pages advertising for free for their first year of business.
“Every year, thousands of American men and women proudly serve their country in the U.S. military, yet when they return home they find limited job support and business opportunities,” said Mike McGill, president, Santa Barbara Community Phone Book and co-founder of the American Hometown Heroes program. “Independent Yellow Pages publishers are in a unique position to be able to help – print and online directories continue to be the number one source for consumers looking for a local business, particularly in America’s hometowns. This means Yellow Pages publishers are a great resource for any individual looking to start a new business.”
Dr. Art Kaslow, a dentist practicing in Santa Barbara County, California, is also a U.S. Army Colonel with 24 years of service. Currently a Reservist, he has served two deployments and two mobilizations since 2001. Dr. Kaslow learned about the AHH program from representatives of the Santa Ynez Community Phone Book.
“I heard about the American Hometown Heroes program after returning home from Afghanistan in March 2012,” said Dr. Kaslow. “My first thought was, ‘Could a phonebook ad really improve my business?’ Well, it didn’t take long for me to get the answer—within six months my ad had generated 69 calls resulting in 12 new patients—that’s an average of two new patients per month. My hope is that more veterans that are considering starting a business will learn about and be able to take advantage of the American Hometown Heroes program.”
Nearly 60 ADP publisher-members have banded together to offer returning veterans free professional business advice and advertising. Since its founding, the AHH program has grown from serving 1,800 communities in five states to over 40,000 communities in 49 states across the country.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our national economy and this program is one way we can give back to these local heroes,” said Cindi Aldrich, president and CEO of ADP. “Military veterans have received extensive training in a wide variety of occupations and trades which can be used to start a business right in their own hometown, where Yellow Pages are the strongest.”
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has embraced the American Hometown Heroes program and celebrities that are proudly supporting the initiative include Bo Derek, John Corbett, Ann-Margaret and Dyan Cannon.
Returning military veterans planning to start up a business can apply for the AHH program online. For additional information about the program, including details on how it works and a list of participating publishers, go to www.AmericanHometownHeroes.com.
About the Association of Directory Publishers
ADP is an international trade association serving only the Yellow Pages since 1898. Members include publishers, advertising agencies, certified marketing representatives and suppliers to the printed directory, and mobile and online publishing. ADP provides members up-to-date industry communications, research, legal and legislative support, conventions and numerous programs and services. For additional information, visit www.adp.org, or connect with ADP on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
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Media Contact: Eileen Pacheco | eileen@tango-group.com | 508.888.7478