Happy New Year from PennWest Clarion SBDC!

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, January 13, 2024 (Register) 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Webinar Thursday, January 25, 2024 (Register) 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Webinar This training provides an overview of the steps to starting and financing a business, along with an in-depth look at a business plan. Tax Talk with Corry Wednesday, January 17, 2024 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Zoom Q&A Corry Riley, PennWest Clarion SBDC Business Consultant, will answer your Tax questions during this monthly Zoom session. The Tax Tip for this session will focus on Sole Proprietorship. Normative Leadership Tuesday, January 23, 2024 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - In-Person PennWest University, 14 Suites On Main South, Arnold Ave., Clarion, PA 16214 Learn how organizational culture affects key factors like teamwork, communication, accountability, and profitability. OSHA: Recordkeeping, Reporting, Data Submission Thursday, January 25, 2024 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. New Year, New Business: How to Know if Your Business Idea Will Really Work Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Webinar Free Library Digital Resources to Help Your Business Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Webinar Marketing for the New Year: To Infinity and Beyond with AI Thursday, January 18, 2024, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Webinar Mastering HR Compliance & Trends: Elevate Your Small Business Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Webinar   Agriculture Center of Excellence Understanding the Basics of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act On January 12, 2024, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s (PDA) Agricultural Business Development Center (ABDC), will present the next webinar in the Understanding Agricultural Law educational series. PA Farm Link's Annual Farm Succession Workshop On January 23, 2024, Professionals in the agricultural industry will be providing valuable information to farm business owners who want to ensure the farm is transitioned to the next generation. This event will be hosted both in-person and online. Register by January 19, 2024. 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 Making Laws Work for You, Part 1: Ag Security Areas, Farmland Preservation, and Clean & Green NEW! 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 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 Ongoing Courses: Amazon Small Business Academy - Topics range from selling on Amazon to finding an Amazon business advisor! Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Helping small businesses succeed by offering key resources like free online courses, expert coaching, peer networking, and grant opportunities. NW IRC - Online Skill Training for Manufacturers Important Updates & Grant Opportunities Business Resource - 2023 SBA Small Business Resource Guide Small Business Grant Opportunity - The 2023 Small Business Advantage Grant is now accepting applications for at least $1 million in available funds.  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) 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