Small Business Training Events & Resources!

Visit our Website NEW! Corry Riley, PennWest Clarion SBDC Business Consultant, will answer your Tax questions during this monthly Zoom session. Corry can help you... Understand your Schedule C Employees vs Independent Contractors What tax deductions and credits are available for small businesses Sales tax reporting and collection What records and documents to keep for filing purposes How to handle IRS audits and inquiries Other tax-related questions Register Today! 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 Saturday, July 8, 2023 (Register) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Webinar Thursday, July 20, 2023 (Register) 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - Webinar This monthly webinar provides an overview on the steps to start a business along with an in-depth look at a business plan. Sales Tax Basics Wednesday, July 12, 2023 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Webinar Attend this webinar to learn basic knowledge of Pennsylvania sales tax. Representatives from the PA Department of Revenue will share knowledge and resources. OSHA: Recordkeeping, Reporting, Data Submission Wednesday, July 27, 2023 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Webinar In this session, we will discuss OSHA 1904. Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses standard. Withholding Basics Wednesday, August 8, 2023 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Webinar Whether you’re ready to hire your first employee, you already have employees, or you are looking to pay someone to perform services for your business, this module will help you navigate withholding basics from W2 income to 1099s.  Get Your Local Business on Google Search & Maps presented by Google Thursday, July 6, 2023 Is Your Business Wi-Fi Secure? Tuesday, July 11, 2023  Discover the Power of AI: Boost Your Productivity Wednesday, July 12, 2023 Discover the Power of AI: Accelerate Your Research & Business Planning Tuesday, July 18, 2023   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. 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! NW IRC - Online Skills Trainings for Manufacturers Ongoing NW IRC - Training for Manufacturers (June - August) Monthly webinars are offered, the next event is July 12, 2023. Certification and How to Do Business with the Commonwealth Important Updates Grants for worker training - PennWest - Clarion is a certified WEDnetPA partner and accepting applications! Pennsylvania offers qualified employers the opportunity to train new and existing employees through WEDnetPA. The progressive training program, funded by the Department of Community and Economic Development, provides qualified companies with money for training in a wide range of essential skills and high-tech topics. The portal is open for 2023-2024 applications. Click HERE to apply today! For more information or questions email: jbest@pennwest.edu. 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)  Verizon Small Business Digital Ready We’re helping small businesses succeed by offering key resources like free online courses, expert coaching, peer networking and grant opportunities. SBA EIDLs Available - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in western Pennsylvania for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations with losses from drought that occurred from June 1 through August 30, 2022.   The declaration covers the primary counties of Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Venango, and Warren in Pennsylvania; and the adjacent counties of Armstrong, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clinton, Crawford, Erie, Indiana, McKean and Mercer in Pennsylvania. (See Fact Sheet) 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.  Special Offer - QuickBooks Online Offer for SBDC Entrepreneurs 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 University Clarion 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