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Project Compass Workforce Recovery
June 2012
Quick Links...
Upcoming Events
Operation Health: Resources for Veterans and Their Families
 
Wednesday, June 13
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. EDT
 
This webinar will provide an overview of the most pressing issues faced by returning veterans and their loved ones and what libraries can do to help.
 
E-Gov and the Get Help Florida Website

  

Monday, June 11 

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.


Get Help Florida is a website developed by the Pasco County Public Library Cooperative to serve as a statewide portal to valuable e-government resources for those in need of help. This webinar will show you how to successfully navigate the Get Help Florida resource and assist Florida residents in accessing the government services they need.

Register Here    

Building Community Partnerships to Augment Adult Services

  

Wednesday, July 27
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

 

Attend this 60-minute webinar to learn how forming community partnerships can help you achieve more with less.  Library users will experience richer services, and library staff will gain support from the community.



Register Here

Right Service at the Right Time

  

The Right Service at the Right Time is an easy to use resource that connects people with e-gov and social services. And now, we are bringing the Right Service right to you!  

 

July 24 at Northwest Florida State College 

 

July 25 at Tallahassee Community College 

 

August 22 at Port Charlotte  


Greetings! 

 

There are more than 2 million small businesses in the state of Florida. They represent 98.9 percent of all employers and employ 42.3 percent of the private sector workforce.

 

This month's newsletter highlights some of the resources available to libraries to help develop and sustain small businesses in our communities. 

 

Please let me know if I can help you with your efforts, and don't forget to contribute your ideas and resources to the Project Compass Florida website.

 

Pam Thompson
850.245.6633
Small Business Resource Center  
 

When starting a new business, entrepreneurs need all the help they can get. Access to the Small Business Resource Center, from the Florida Electronic Library, is like having experts on call 24 hours a day.

 

The Small Business Resource Center covers all major areas of starting and operating a business including financing, management, marketing, human resources, franchising, accounting and taxes. 

 

Libraries can add customizable widgets and logos to their websites to increase awareness, accessibility and increase usage of this valuable resource. Training on this and other Florida Electronic Library resources is also available.

 

For more information, contact Stephanie Race, Florida Electronic Library Program Manager, at [email protected].   

Florida's Small Business Development Center Network
 
The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (FSBDCN) is a statewide network of approximately 40 centers involving universities, colleges and other economic development partner organizations. 
 

Certified Business Analysts (CBAs) assist small business owners through no-cost consulting, training and information covering all areas of business management.

 

For more information on providing training, workshops or programs at your library, contact your local Florida Small Business Development Center.

 

The FSBDCN is one of 63 Small Business Development Center programs, with locations in every state and U.S. territory.

Free Websites for Small Business in Florida

 Website free
Ninety-seven percent of consumers look online for products or services, yet 68 percent of Florida's small businesses do not have a website.

 

Google has partnered with Intuit and Governor Rick Scott to offer free website design, free domain name and free server hosting for a year to small businesses in Florida. Google is targeting businesses with 25 or fewer employees.
Florida businesses can go to Florida Get Your Business Online 

to use simple templates to create their own websites, choose customized domain names, and sign up for free Web hosting for one year.

 

Libraries can sign up to be notified of future training events in their areas.

Women Business Owners-Resources to Succeed

In the U.S. more than 7.8 million women run their own small businesses, generating more than $1.2 trillion each year. Women have come to represent a growing force in American entrepreneurship. Here are a few facts on women-owned businesses:

  • The latest U.S. Census data shows that the number of women-owned businesses represents a stunning 44% increase from 1997-2007, twice the growth rate of men-owned businesses.
  • Women-owned firms now make up close to a third (29%) of all nonfarm businesses across the country.
  • These firms employ 7.6 million people.

Clearly, women-owned firms are a major force in the U.S. economy. Libraries can direct patrons to the resources and programs specifically designed for women business owners. The programs are designed to walk your patrons through the steps of starting, growing and financing a business. Complete information on this program and other types of assistance can be found at Small Business Administration

Money Smart -
A Financial Education
Program 

  

Money Smart for Small Business is a new instructor-led training curriculum developed jointly by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

 

The free curriculum provides introductory training for new and aspiring entrepreneurs on the basics of organizing and managing a business.

 

The FDIC recognizes select organizations that deliver the Money Smart for Small Business curriculum through the Money Smart Alliance Program. You can contact a Florida Alliance member or if your library is interested in becoming a Training Alliance partner and delivering Money Smart for Small Business training in your community, contact [email protected].

 

Business USAbusiness usa

 

BusinessUSA is a centralized, one-stop website to make it easier for businesses to access services to help them grow and hire.
 
Libraries can access the site to quickly connect small business patrons to the services and information relevant to them, whether it is general or Florida specific, and regardless of where the information is located or to which agency's website, call center or office they go to for help.
 
Formerly Business.gov, BusinessUSA is an official website of the U.S. government.
One-Stop Business Registration Portal
 

On April 20, Governor Rick Scott signed legislation that directs the Department of Revenue (DOR) to establish and implement, by January 1, 2013, a One-Stop Business Registration Portal, through an Internet website.

 

The portal will provide individuals and businesses with a single point-of-entry into state government for completing and submitting documents required for transacting business in Florida.

 

We will keep you informed as the portal takes shape.

Can You Help?
HelpWanted

Summer is almost here and many students will be looking for summer jobs. How does your library help this group of job seekers? Do you have any programs planned, have you partnered with another community organization or are you using any special resources to help students looking for summer jobs?

Contact Pam Thompson at [email protected] to share your library's experiences.

This program is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services.