SBDC - PennWest Clarion - Small Business Training Events & Resources!

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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, August 17, 2023 (Register) 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - Webinar Saturday, September 9, 2023 (Register) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 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. Tax Talk with Corry Wednesday, August 16, 2023 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Zoom Q&A Corry can help you with all of your Pennsylvania Business Tax questions

ServSafe Monday, September 11 and 18 , 2023 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Webinar The ServSafe® Food Safety Manager Course, conducted by Penn State Extension, is for individuals preparing for the food protection certification exam. Getting Started with myPATH Wednesday, September 13, 2023 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Webinar Join us in learning how to get started with the Department of Revenue’s new self-service portal called myPATH.

Understand and Communicate the Value of Your Business - presented by Google Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Noon to 1 p.m. A Beginner's Guide to Marketing to Government 2023 Thursday, September 7, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Business One-Stop Shop’s Guide to Business Registration (DCED) Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Marketing on a Shoestring Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to Noon Live2Lead Thursday, October 26, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. *$49 if registered before September 30, $59 starting October 1 *Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. *Box Lunch is provided

Agriculture Center of Excellence

Food & Agriculture The University of Scranton SBDC's On-Demand Ag Training The Importance of Food Safety: An Introduction to the Food Safety Modernization Act Limited Food Establishments: Adding Value in Your Home Kitchen Making Your Food Business Concept a Reality Making Your Farm Business Plan Work for You 30 minutes So You Want to Start a Food Truck: Your Guide to Starting a Mobile Food Enterprise Social Media 101 for Food on the Move Social Media 101 for Restaurants, Coffee Shops, & Carry-Out AgriStress Helpline - Crisis Support for Agricultural Communities If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 833-897-2474 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 Skill Training for Manufacturers Ongoing NW IRC - Training for Manufacturers (June - August) Monthly webinars are offered, the next event is September 6, 2023. Certification and How to Do Business with the Commonwealth

Important Updates

Ben Franklin TechCelerator Program - You could win $15,000! Accepting applications for the Fall Session! The last day to apply is September 8, 2023. Winners will be announced on September 13, 2023. Employment Opportunity - Full-Time Temporary Business Consultant – Small Business Development Center EMPLOYER RESOURCE CONNECTIONS (Click the link to see the flyer.) Make Your Connection to Resources Available to You - For Employers of All Sizes Workforce Development, Economic Development, Community Development, Training Providers, Technology-Based Economic Development, and More 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 the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program available. 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