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Greetings!
 | | Kelly Manning |
Everyone at the Colorado SBDC Network would like wish you a Happy New Year filled with prosperous business growth and job creation.
The SBDC is excited to start the new year as we will be rolling out new programs and initiatives to help small businesses start, grow, and prosper in Colorado. With the anticipated Jobs Bill funds we plan to increase counseling around the state, provide more training classes, and hold more conferences to benefit different audiences.
The number of Leading Edge courses, our flagship training program, will be increased and modified to suit different target markets. The 12-14 week course focuses on creating an all inclusive business plan. We will now offer additional courses focused on existing businesses, creative industries, bioscience, aerospace, technology, veteran-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and minority-owned buseinesses.
We plan to more than double the amount of conferences we hold and expand the locations to reach more areas of the state. In addition to regularly held expos and business meetings put on by our 15 centers, the network as a whole will be hosting several women, veteran, creative, and emerging industry/international business conferences.
We are looking forward to a great year and we hope you are too. Stay tuned in to our newsletter and website www.coloradosbdc.org and www.vetbizassist.org for dates, times, and locations of all the exciting new offering from the Colorado SBDC Network.
Sincerely,
Kelly Manning
State Director
Colorado Small Business Development Centers |
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Success Story: BioVantage Resources |
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 These bugs are cleaning up. Algae are not new, but what they are doing to clean up wastewater and the environment is. BioVantage Resources is producing an algae which has great potential.
In October, BioVantage Resources was named the Sustainability Award winner in the 2010 Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open. Headed by Sue Kunz, the Golden Company specializes in algae production to treat wastewater - municipal, industrial, and agricultural - each with its own unique cocktail of algae. The mission of the Cleantech Open is to find, fund, and foster the big ideas that address today's most urgent energy, environmental, and economic challenges.
The South Metro Denver SBDC partners with the Cleantech Open to provide four half-day workshops, one-on-one consulting, and feedback on executive summaries, business plans, and presentations to venture capitalists and angel investors. The SBDC Center Director and team of nine consultants provided more than 850 hours of consulting with the Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open semi-finalists.
"Sue was a wonderful addition to the Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open competition this year. With her broad range of experience in business and her passion for algae and cleaning up water, BioVantage will be a game changer in the waste water treatment industry. During the course of the program, BioVantage revenues increased by $600,000 dollars," said Marcia McGilley, South Metro Denver SBDC Center Director.
BioVantage recently demonstrated its product in Greeley and has raised money to continue its growth. Kunz said she expects to see revenue begin to pour in this year and for BioVantage to reach profitability status by 2012.
For more information, please visit http://www.biovantageresources.com/ |
| Governor Hickenlooper Tours CO for Economic Development | | |
As one of his frist tasks on the job, Gov. John Hickenlooper toured Colorado over MLK weekend to promote a bottom-up economic development plan. He met with business leaders, community members, and local officials in a series of meetings to discuss job creation, government efficiencies, and economic development and recovery.
"We are focusing on the local talent and resources in all 64 Colorado counties," Hickenlooper said. "We want to chart a course for economic revival from the bottom up, county by county. This trip is the start of that process."
"Our first task, our highest priority, is jobs. We will help businesses expand and protect the jobs we have, we will attract new jobs, and we will unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that has always defined Colorado through her history."
Traveling with the Governor was Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia; Reeves Brown, Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs; Al White, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office; and other members of the Governor's senior staff.
Meetings were held in Edwards, Fruita, Durango, Del Norte, Pueblo, CO Springs, Limon, and Loveland. |
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Free E-Learning Workshop Videos Offered by the CO SBDC | | |
 The Colorado SBDC Network is proud to announce the launch of it's Free E-Learning Video site. With almost 50 free training videos on a variety of topics in multiple languages, the website is a great resource for small businesses around the state.
The site was originally made for our new Veterans website www.vetbizassist.org but it is a great resource for everyone. It is easy to use anywhere Internet is available and only requires an initial free sign-up. There is a wide variety of content including videos on starting a business, managing your finances, and foundations of marketing.
Take a look and check out a video or two, or 49... Free E-Learning Videos |
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Dwayne Romero is named the new Executive Director of OEDIT | | |
 Governor John Hickenlooper announced yesterday that Dwayne Romero will be Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
"Dwayne Romero knows how to create jobs and lead organizations," Hickenlooper said. "He helped stabilize and build successful businesses in the Colorado mountains, most recently in Snowmass Village. Dwayne has the necessary leadership training and business management experiences to promote economic development in Colorado and beyond its borders."
Romero manages a significant portfolio of commercial and lodging properties in Snowmass Village, including the Mountain Chalet, the Snowmass Inn, the Snowmass Mall and the Snowmass Center. In addition, he leads the firm's hospitality and property management divisions - Snowmass Hospitality and Snowmass Property Management - in the management and oversight of more than 250 condominiums and a dozen homeowner associations in Snowmass Village. All of these roles require active, communicative, hands-on leadership and a strong focus on detail and execution.
"I'm thrilled to take on this role. Gov. Hickenlooper is putting together a team that crosses party lines and sets a positive and constructive tone as we focus on improving the climate for creating new jobs and economic growth," Romero said. "I look forward to connecting with communities around our state as we create this 'bottom-up' economic development plan."
Source: Partners for Colorado and Related |
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Contract Opportunities Fair (COF) | |  Save the Date-Thursday, February 17th, 2011
This full day event includes: Panels with contracting representatives who will be discussing upcoming contracting opportunities, how to do business with their organizations, and break-out sessions with beginner to accelerated workshops. Federal, state, local and corporate contracting exhibitors will be present, one-to-one appointments with contracting representatives will be available, and this is a great event for networking at the keynote lunch.
Who should attend? Small to mid-sized businesses - beginner to advanced
- Searching for new income sources
- New to contracting: learn the ropes from contractors and experts
- Experienced with contracting: increase your contacts, networking and opportunities; advanced workshops
- Women-owned businesses: learn more about the SBA's newly implemented Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program
- Network with other businesses for partnering opportunities
- Considering certification: types and benefits
Cost: $79/69 for Boulder, Longmont, or Latino Chamber Members
UCAR Center Green Conference Center
3080 Center Green Drive
Boulder, CO 80301
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Please register at the Boulder SBDC or by contacting the Boulder SBDC at 303-442-1475. |
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Mixed Job Results for Colorado's Seven Metro Areas |
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C2ER Board Member, Tom Tviedt, Research Economist at Garner Economics in Atlanta, performed an analysis of all the U.S. Metro areas (almost 400 total) jobs losses or gains from November 2009 - November 2010, including industry sector detail.
Colorado's seven metro areas had mixed results; three added jobs and three lost jobs and one was flat for the year. On net, the gains outnumbered the losses, but only slightly. The sector detail shows how diverse our metro areas are in Colorado.
Courtesy of Garner Economics, Atlanta Georgia |
| The Art of Winter | | |
 The Colorado SBDC is proud to sponsor the first annual Art of Winter Exhibition. The event will feature local ski and snowboard art in celebration of the Mile High Snow Fest and the SIA Snow Show. The exhibition is free and will showcase aluminum reproductions lining Larmier Square with the original pieces in the Larimer Walkway gallery space.
This first-time outdoor exhibit showcases how intertwined today's industry and culture of snow sports is with the world of art and design. This a progressive idea that is stirring lots of hype, "I love the concept behind the Art of Winter and we're stoked to be a part of it! Not only is art is an integral part of our business and brand, it is also becoming more and more a part of the industry as a whole. Art is a conduit for the integration of lifestyle and sport - this synergy of passions is what fuels progression and innovation in the industry and in business in general. This is a unique opportunity for us to display our art alongside other creative industry players - and for all of us to exhibit our passions to the world. Larimer Street will buzz... this is going to be cool." --Annelise Loevlie, Icelantic Skis
For more information go to www.somethingindependent.com and www.milehighsnowfest.com |
| Business Tip: Changes to Business Law 2011 | |
 Due to the Jobs Bill, Tax Bill, Health Care Reform and pending Immigration reform, plus a myriad of others that I may have overlooked, there are some major changes to how we do business in Colorado/USA and we would like to draw your attention to the ones that go into effect starting in January, 2011. Please consult your tax accountant or tax preparer to see how these changes could affect your business.
#1) Minimum wage in Colorado is increasing January 1st to $7.36 per hour (and $4.34 for tipped). When the State and the Federal amounts don't match, you're obligated to pay the higher one, and this time it is the State of Colorado.
#2) With the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts now in place, how is FICA (Social Security) going to be affected? You will be deducting 2% less but just in 2011. The savings is on the side of the employee. Instead of using the 6.2% rate, it will be 4.2 % of wages paid. Employers have until January 31, 2011 to implement the new payroll tax rates, and make any necessary adjustments or corrections by March 31, 2011. The employer tax rate for social security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) tax remain unchanged from 2010.
#3) Reporting for 1099-Misc is probably going to be changing in phases. Be prepared to report to the IRS the amount you paid each of your vendors if it was over $600 for the year. In order to best prepare (this legislation has the possibility of being appealed/modified), start requesting a completed IRS W-9 from each vendor. You can download these forms from the IRS web site in order to have the complete legal name, address and Tax Identification Number (EIN or SSN) for your vendor. This is being phased in, some apply in 2011 (i.e. for Landlords dealing with unincorporated service providers) and others in 2012. Penalties for not filing 1099s will double in 2011, so please consult a professional on this topic.
#4) If you took part of the HIRE act, it does not pertain to any wages paid after December 31, 2010.
#5) Small businesses can benefit from deducting health care plan expenses.
#6) The IRS announced that the mileage reimbursement rate for 2011 will be $0.51 per mile.
#7) Still pending, but it looks like employers should get familiar with E-Verify, the electronic way to confirm legal status for employees. Stay tuned.
Writen by Donna Wehe, San Luis Valley SBDC Director with contributions from Donielle VanGieson and Wall, Smith, Bateman & Associates. |
| Minority Business Office | | |
Upcoming Events
Thursday, January 27th 2011
Minority Business Meeting
Find the Resources to Succeed
Cost: $10
World Trade Center
1625 Broadway St. Suite 1490
Denver, CO 80202
9:00am - 11:00am
For information related to minority business events please contact LeRoy Romero at: l.romero@state.co.us. |
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Upcoming SBDC Events | | |
Denver Metro
Wednesday, January 26th
Focus on Business: Conversations With CO's Most Successful Business Owners
Jill Ater, Heidi Crum, and Jodi Olin, Founders of 10 til 2, the first staffing service in the country to focus on long-term, professional, part-time work.
Cost: $10
Johnson & Wales University
Jared S. Polis Auditorium
1900 Olive St.
Denver, CO 80220
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Please register with the Denver Metro SBDC.
South Metro Denver:
Wednesday, January 26th
Business Boot Camp Briefing Meeting
Join Us to Learn More About this New Seven Month Business Coaching Program
Cost: No Charge
South Metro Denver Chamber Center
6840 S. University Blvd.
Centennial, CO 80122
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Monday, January 31
NxLevel for Entrepreneurs
15-Week Business Plan Course
Cost: $495 ($395 for S Metro Denver Chamber Investors or CO Business Bank Customers)
South Metro Denver Chamber Center
6840 S. University Blvd.
Centennial, CO 80122
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Please register at the South Metro Denver SBDC.
North Metro Denver:
Monday, February 7th - Monday, March 28th
Business Planning Boot Camp
8-Week Boot Camp to Quickly Develop a Business Plan and Determine Feasibility
Cost: $120
North Metro SBDC
Front Range Community College
3645 W. 112th Ave.
Westminster, CO 80031
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tuesday, February 8th - Tuesday, March 29th
Colorado Leading Edge: Social Media and Web 2.0
20 Hour Course to Develop Strategies for Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube
Cost: $160
North Metro SBDC
Front Range Community College
3645 W. 112th Ave.
Westminster, CO 80031
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Please register at www.frontrange.edu/smallbusiness or by calling: 303-460-1032.
Larimer County:
Tuesday, January 25th
Know Thy Numbers
Learn the What, How, and Why of Bookkeeping
Cost: $40 Pre-pay, $50 at the door
Fort Collin SBDC Office
125 South Howes, Suite 150
Key Bank Tower
Fort Collin, CO 80521
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Please register at www.sbdc-larimer.com and call (970) 498-9295 to pre-pay.
Southern Colorado:
Saturday, March 5th
Southern Colorado Expo - Small Business Marketplace
Small Business Showcase, Shop - Network - Support Local Small Business
Cost: No Charge
Pueblo Convention Center
320 Central Main Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
For more information please contact the Southern CO SBDC at 719-549-3224 or sbdc@pueblocc.edu.
San Luis Valley:
Business Over Breakfast
Cost: $10
Inn of the Rio Grand
333 Santa Fe Ave
Alamosa, CO 81101
Tuesday, February 8th - You Tube, LinkedIn
Tuesday, February 15th - Google Apps, Blogger
Wednesday, February 9th
Leading Edge for Entrepreneurs
Develop a Business Plan and Determine Your Business's Feasibility
Cost: $250
Depot
610 State Avenue
Alamoso, CO 81101
To register, contact: San Luis Valley Small Business Development Center 719-587-5151 or donna@slv-sbdc.com. |
  Colorado Small Business Development Centers A division of
Denver, CO 80202 | |
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