Small Business Training Events & Resources!

Visit our Website SBDC Training Events Current business owners and employees looking to sharpen their corporate knowledge are encouraged to attend our business skills workshops. Click here to sign up for this newsletter. First Step: Starting a Business in PA Thursday, January 19, 2023 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This monthly seminar provides an overview on the steps to start a business along with an in-depth look at a business plan. QuickBooks - Level I (desktop) Tuesday, January 24, 2023 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn to create, use and maintain your books with ease. Keep track of your payables and receivables TikTok & Snapchat Basics Wednesday, January 25, 2023 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In this introductory course, we will provide an overview of Snapchat and TikTok and discuss how small businesses use them for marketing and brand awareness QuickBooks - Level II (desktop) Thursday, January 26, 2023 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn how to run professional looking reports, personalize your forms, send letters through Microsoft Word, and export to Excel and more. Getting Ready to Enter the World of Social Media [SBDC-CoE] Thursday, January 18, 2023, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. In this workshop, we will discuss target market research, how to develop content and branding across platforms, and prepare you to create social media pages of your own. HUBZone Certifications (click on the link, email to register) Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The HUBZone Program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year. Wage and Hour Compliance in Restaurant Management Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. If you missed it the first time this is your chance to participate in the encore presentation. This event will not be recorded so make sure you plan accordingly. This training is specific to wage and hour issues in the food services industry.   Agriculture Center of Excellence Dairy Processing Research & Development Innovation Grant This grant will support the research and development necessary to position Northeast dairy processors to make long term, impactful shifts in their businesses as it relates to economic and environmental sustainability. USDA Webinar - This series is focused on taxes for AG producers. For more information go to : https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/taxes The USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant provides funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems, or make energy efficiency improvements. The awards were recently announced - congratulations to our five clients who received REAP grant funding for their solar, coal dryer, furnace and reverse osmosis projects! Apply for the PA DEP Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate Program The PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)'s Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate program can help defray the costs of LED lighting, ventilation equipment, or dairy equipment upgrades for your farm. Applicants must meet the definition of a normal farming operation under Pennsylvania’s Right to Farm Law to be eligible for a rebate.  Regional and National Events Amazon Small Business Academy - Ongoing Courses - Topics range from selling on Amazon to finding an Amazon business advisor! PennTAP - ServSafe Multiple locations and times. Click the link above for details. NW IRC - Online Skills Trainings Ongoing NW APEX - Developing a Capabilities Statement & How to Use It Thursday, January 26, 2023 SPC APEX - Understanding the Service Contract Act (SCA) & Davis Bacon Act Thursday, January 26, 2023 Important Updates WIN UP TO $50,000! Big Ideas Grow in WILD Places! In partnership with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Ben Franklin Technology Partners is looking for innovators with BIG IDEAS located in Cameron, Elk, Forest, McKean, or Warren County, PA. We’re looking for entrepreneurs who are developing or crafting a product, process or innovation related to the maker economy, outdoors and recreation, forest products, manufacturing and technology. If this sounds like you, don’t hesitate to apply. Apply by Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 5 p.m. Grant Opportunities -  The PA DEP Small Business Advantage Grant (SBAG) Open for Applications. The SBAG provides reimbursement grants ranging from 50% to 80% of eligible project costs to Pennsylvania small businesses to improve energy efficiency or reduce pollution or waste by: upgrading or replacing equipment or supplies; improving processes; or reducing runoff into affected waterways. Maximum grant awards will be determined by project eligibility, project location (relating to Environmental Justice areas), and environmental impact.  APPLY TODAY FOR A $25,000 AMBER GRANT FOR WOMEN WomensNet founded the “Amber Grant” in 1998. The grant was set up with one goal in mind: to honor the memory of a very special young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at just 19 years old — before realizing her business dreams. Today, WomensNet carries on that tradition, proudly giving away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money. In recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women, we’ve also expanded our grant-giving to include “Marketing Grants,” “Business Category Grants,” as well as two “$25,000 Year End Grants.” ChallengeHer Celebrating its 10th anniversary, ChallengeHer is free for all registrants as part of a national initiative designed to promote the WOSB Federal Contract Program, bring more women-owned firms into the federal government’s supply chain, and provide an avenue for government agencies to meet qualified women-owned small business contractors.  Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the PCA's Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) partner organizations are pleased to make available the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program. This program is designed to pair access to existing small business consulting services with financial resources up to $2,000 for creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business. Download the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program info sheet (PDF) Special Offer - QuickBooks Online Offer for SBDC Entrepreneurs Forgivable Loan for Business Recovery - Non-profit Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund Provides forgivable loans for Pennsylvania-based small businesses with 3-30 employees. The forgivable loan is intended to provide immediate financial assistance (within maximum 3 days) to meet payroll, preserve healthcare coverage for employees and save jobs while they await recently approved federal funding.  We are here to help businesses start, grow and prosper. Connect with us today! Consulting Services -Available by phone, email, Zoom and in person. Training - Click here to check out our upcoming training events. 814-393-2060 or sbdc@pennwest.edu Funding support and resources are provided through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration, by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community and Economic Development; and through support from PennWest Clarion University of Pennsylvania. All services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Special arrangements for persons with disabilities can be made by calling (814) 393-2060. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. STAY CONNECTED