|
Join Our List
|
|
|
|
Hello!
We are approaching yet another venture into the fall season, with lots to do!
I'm sure you agree that this time of year provides both challenges and rewards. At times it is 'back to the grind stone' and at other times it seems 'the ball may be rolling' toward your goals, with renewed energy and new inspirations.
|
Grants & Programs
|
Current news comes from Humboldt County's Workforce Investment Board. Base funding for Rapid Response in Humboldt County has been increased. Although the down side to getting more funding is that there is a need for increased services in layoff aversion and layoff response, the positive note is that our governments recognized this fact and have made it possible to increase funding. Included in the Rapid Response funding are also the BizNet services, which provide answers to questions related to business operations for the public at no cost. 
Sandy Neal, who is the BizNet Manager, commented, "We have been very
busy in the past 18 months in just responding to layoffs. This
increase in funding, along with an injection of federal stimulus funds,
allows us to return to performing a substantial amount of in-depth
layoff avoidance."
We are also glad to report that the North Coast SBDC has submitted our documents
to Humboldt County and Crescent City for the California Community
Development Block Grant 2009-2010 applications.
Due to an increase in
applications state-wide, this year is said to be more competitive. The awards
will be announced in November, so we hope to share the good news with
you then.
|
Workshops
|
 It's not to late to attend the
Business Basics Seminar Series
in Redway or Willow Creek!
|
News
|
Fall 2009 Request For Proposals
The North Coast Small Business Resource
Center is soliciting an open list of qualified business contractors to
perform specialty skills as needed for various groups and individuals.
Application materials must be received by October 2, 2009 at 5 PM.
Please visit our website at www.northcoastsbdc.orgfor more information.  2010 Economic Fuel
The Humboldt County Student Business Challenge will award $100,000 this spring to turn a winning business plan into seed capital! Informational sessions are scheduled throughout the month of September. Complete information is available on the Economic Fuel website: www.economicfuel.comThe North Coast Small Business Resource
Center is a community partner to the competition. To get the latest news and alerts as the competition progresses please visit http://www.economicfuel.org/MailList.aspx |
Client Success Story
|
|
SBDC-DEL NORTE CLIENT
RECEIVES $25,000 1% INTEREST LOAN FOR NEW BUSINESS
Norris Harp
received a check August 14th for $25,000 from a new Micro Enterprise
Financial Assistance Program in Del Norte for his new small
business start-up, A Gamers' Retreat, located at 260 I Street, in downtown Crescent City.
The loan funds are from a new micro enterprise financial assistance program in Del Norte
County designed to provide very low interest rate loan funds for CDBG-eligible clients who want
to start, expand, and grow their small businesses. The
loans are at 1% interest, with a five year term, and maximum loan amount of $25,000.
Mr. Harp
will use his loan funds for capital equipment, gaming tables, merchandise racks, etc.; wholesale purchase of inventory for retail sale;
marketing, advertising; and operational expenses.
He has invested personal funds in monthly lease, tenant improvements, utilities, insurance costs, inventory, and operational
expenses.
The loan program
is a Tri-Agency Economic Development Authority Micro Enterprise Financial Assistance Program funded with HUD Community
Development Block Grant funds through the California Department of Housing and Community
Development disbursed by the County
of Del Norte. Tri-Agency Economic Development Authority
Executive Director Bill Renfroe administers the loans and SBDC-Del Norte Business Advisor
Barbara Burke and Administrative Assistant Janna Clemons provide technical
support to clients in understanding the requirements and prerequisites for the
loan and in completing their applications.
Qualifications
for the loan include meeting CDBG income guidelines and providing information, materials, and documents generally required for
most traditional lending institutions.
A Gamers'
Retreat is a business which offers a clean, well-lighted, friendly, comfortable,
safe place to play specialty games, role playing games,
Mini's, and collectable card games. The business also provides tables and space to play these games
as well as a social environment for the clientele. There
is no charge for use of the tables or playing games. Mr. Harp offers a wide variety of specialty games and collectable cards and various
associated products for sale, and places special orders for clients for products not normally
in stock.
Grand opening is Saturday,
September 5th. Summer hours
are Sundays 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM, Mondays through Thursdays 11:00 am to 9:30 PM, and
Fridays and Saturdays 11:00 am until midnight. Telephone
number of A Gamers' Retreat is (707) 954-4572.
The Daily Triplicate has a great article about A Gamers' Retreat. Check it out!
|
| People |
|
In an effort to raise awareness of two upcoming flights that we are currently coordinating, this month we spotlight two new faces at the North Coast SBDC.
 Chelsea Cough is already making strides at starting a child care flight in October. With her background in gaining support for various programs, she is doing a fantastic job at getting the word out to newly licensed child care providers and seasoned professionals who may also be in search of specialized training in running the business end of a child care facility.
Chelsea said, "This is a great opportunity for anyone who has a business or who is starting one to learn a great deal about the planning, marketing, and record-keeping that must go into any successful micro-enterprise." Chelsea has obtained networking assistance from several community members and plans to continue her marketing throughout Humboldt County.
 Kathrine Bridgwater is heading up the effort to start a retail flight in September. Since this is the first ever retail flight, Kathrine has employed a traditional marketing campaign including newspaper advertising, Chamber newsletter flyers, and the tried-and-true strategy of meeting directly with business owners at their retail store to spread the word about the program.
"Business owners are very excited to see that the Retail Flight is approaching take-off. This flight will provide retailers an advantage at addressing the challenges that this poor economy creates for retailers. Hopefully retailers will feel that the flight comes right in time to get ready for the holiday buying season," Kathrine said.
For more information about either the Child Care or Retail Flights please see our webpage at www.northcoastsbdc.org |
| Events |
Redwood Coast Opportunity FairJob Seekers: Find Seasonal Jobs with Local Employers at the Retail Holiday Job Fair- Apply for Holiday Work
- Meet Employers
- Network
- Access Training
- Connect to Job Services
- Have a Resume Review
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
10:00 am to 2:00 PM
423 F Street, Eureka To complete a Master Application in advance
of the Opportunity Fair please visit www.NorthCoastProsperity.com/jobmarketFor More Information: 1-707-441-JOBS (5627)Brought to you by The Job MarketExpanding Opportunity - Growing Quality
Improving Competitiveness - Career Potential
NorthWest Insurance Agencypresents Basics of BondingManny Mello, CIC will present basic information regarding the bonding process, what bonds are, and the requirements to qualify for bonding. Bonding is NOT insurance and if you intend to bid on government jobs, you must be able to provide bid, payment and performance bonds. Wednesday, September 23, 20099:00 - 10:00 am NorthWest Insurance, 1500 4th Street, Eureka Call 707-444-3094 to reserve a seat.There is no charge for this seminar.Please leave your contact information with the receptionist. License # 0580581 Women EntrepreneursPlease join the Women Entrepreneurs Institute for the
Annual Networking Gala
- Treat yourself to an elegant evening
- Meet business women who can benefit from your products and services - bring plenty of business cards!
- Support, inspire and share resources with a community of women entrepreneurs
5:15 - 8:00 PM Avalon Restaurant, 3rd & G Streets, Eureka $25 per person before September 11, $30 September 12 - October 7, $35 at the door. Space is limited & pre-registration is encouraged. Contact: www.women-entrepreneurs.org or Susan Seaman at 707-822-4616 ext. 12 |
| Stat for this month. |
Onrec.com, the
online presence of Online Recruitment magazine,
reported this week that, "The latest results from the quarterly Challenger Job
Market Index released Thursday (July 31) by global outplacement consultancy
Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., reveal that 8.7 percent of job seekers gaining
employment in the second quarter of 2009 did so by starting their own
enterprises.  That is up from 6.4 percent in the
previous quarter and it was nearly double the start-up rate of 4.3 percent in
the second quarter of 2008." The second-quarter figure was the highest since the
third quarter of 2007, when 10.1 percent of job seekers started businesses. As
recently as the final quarter of 2008, the start-up rate fell to a record low of
2.7 percent. |
|
As I look through the newsletter this month, I realize that the North
Coast SBDC touches so many people in our community. From the business
owners, to the non-profit partners, through to the government entities,
and the entrepreneurs in our region. The North Coast SBDC couldn't do
this without you, so thank you for being a part of our extended family
and continuing to support our mission.
 Sincerely, Kathrine Bridgwater Small Business Development Analyst
| |
|
