SBDC - PennWest Clarion - 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 Saturday, September 9, 2023 (Register) 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Webinar Thursday, September 21, 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. 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. Marketing on a Shoestring Tuesday, September 19, 2023 11:00 a.m. to Noon - Webinar We will go over no-cost solutions to help you create and diversify your marketing, such as Canva, Unsplash, Bit.ly, and a few other free programs. 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. Tax Talk with Corry Wednesday, September 20, 2023,11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Zoom Q&A 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 Business Consultants Available to Help Dairy Farm Families Achieve Their Goals Are you trying to navigate the complex process of transition planning, business plan development, risk management planning, or business transformation? Not sure where to start? The Center for Dairy Excellence has several consultants available to work with PA dairy farm families through one-on-one consulting and support – all free.  Horizon’s Farmers in the Rise program is now open. Rewarding the Next Generation of Ag Farm Credit is hosting the third annual Farmers on the Rise award competition this fall! Established in 2021, the Farmers on the Rise program was created to honor outstanding beginning farmers (three to ten years of experience) within the diverse agricultural community who excel in their field.  This year's program will award up to ten $10,000 awards. The application opens on August 25, 2023 and closes on October 6, 2023 at 4 pm.  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 funds 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 APEX Accelerator - Selling to the Government APEX Accelerator - Understanding DoD's and SBA's Mentor-Protégé Programs (MPP) for Government Contracting Important Updates Employment Opportunity - Full-Time Temporary Business Consultant – Small Business Development Center Paid Study Opportunity - (Click on the link below to see the flyer.) Participants Needed for Research Study on Rural Public Libraries Do you own a small business? Are you planning to start a small business? Are you looking for a job? Are you a representative for a local community-based organization? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be eligible to participate in a research study funded by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania that could improve library resources, programs, and services. Small Business Grant Opportunity - The 2023 Small Business Advantage Grant is now accepting applications for at least $1 million in available funds.  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. 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) 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: 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 monthly 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.” 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