Fifty lucky small-business operators walked away from this year's Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) Business Expo feeling like they had hit the jackpot.

They were the recipients of free starter packages, presented to them by The Gleaner Online.

Gleaner Online Brand and Sales Manager Terri-Karelle Reid said the starter packages were an expression of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group's commitment to the development of micro, small and medium enterprises in Jamaica.

She noted that among the biggest concerns for small businesses are capital to keep the business sustainable, lack of an advertising budget, and a lack of awareness and education about digital tools.

Reid said the company was happy for the opportunity to help small-business owners bridge some of these gaps.

The free starter packages included domain name registration, a three-page responsive website, web hosting and professional email addresses for up to five employees, as well as complimentary advertising on The Gleaner Online's network of sites to give them digital presence and positioning.

Another 10 small businesses received free social-media packages, which included brand consultation, the creation of social-media accounts, content creation and scheduling, and regular performance reports.

The Gleaner Online is mostly known as the digital arm of the newspaper but it offers digital solutions including domain name registration, websites, e-commerce, content management, email and web hosting to businesses.