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Upcoming Workshops
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8/15 (9:00am-12:00pm)
8/15 (1:00pm-4:00pm)
8/20 (9:00am-12:00pm)
Windows 8
8/20 (1:00pm-2:30pm)
Excel II
8/22 (9:00am-12:00pm)
Excel III
8/22 (1:00pm-4:00pm)
View All Upcoming Workshops
We have MANY great training opportunities coming this fall and so do our resource partners like SBA, MN PTAC, US Commercial Services, SCORE, and others. Sign up to be updated on these opportunities and more... Subscribe to receive the CED monthly training opportunities newsletter.
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UMD SBI PROGRAM
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Final Call to apply to participate in the Fall 2013 SBI Program
Fall Semester is almost here and we will be selecting businesses to participate in this unique program soon. This is the final week you can apply to participate in the Fall Semester program. If you have been thinking about it, apply now.
The Student to Business Initiative Program benefits students with real world experience while businesses gain fresh perspective.
If your business needs new marketing strategies or an analysis and budget, apply to participate in next semester's marketing or accounting program.
information and to apply.
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Contact Us
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UMD Center for Economic Development
The Small Business Development Center for Northeast Minnesota
(218) 726-7298 - main
(888) 387-4594 - toll free
Regional Center: Duluth
Satellite Offices: Hibbing/Chisholm
Quad Cities International Falls Grand Rapids Ely Grand Marais/Cook County Two Harbors/Lake County Carlton County
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HELPING ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESSES GROW AND SUCCEED
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UMD TEEN ENTERPRISE 2013
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August 6 - 8, 2013, six high school students from the region participated in UMD Teen Enterprise at Mesabi Range College. Students from as far away as International Falls and Cook joined local Virginia students.
Among the six students there was a diversity of interests; one participant already runs her own photography business, some had a vision for the type of business they wanted someday, while others were not sure if entrepreneurship was for them but they were ready to learn.
It was a busy 3 days.From the classroom to the computer lab students did activities that focused on the challenges and opportunities that come with starting a business. The Teens also visited the business community and met with entrepreneurs. The tour of business included Ben Franklin, Trenti Law Firm, Edward Jones, Barber Graphics, Northern Twistar, and TRITEC. At each location we toured the business and talked with the owners about their experiences and lessons learned as entrepreneurs. During the camp we also had Catherine Branville from Irma's Finish House and Brandon Seppala from Pohaki lumber came to the classroom and talk to the students. Several teens commented that their favorite part of the camp was meeting real business owners and talking to them.
By the end of the 3-day camp, each student presented their business idea and research. We congratulate each teen on a job well done and thank all of the businesses who took time out of their busy schedules to talk with our group. Check out the UMD Teen Enterprise 2013 photo album on the CED Facebook page.
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UMD TEEN ENTERPRISE NAMED AS FINALIST FOR UEDA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
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UMD Center for Economic Development (CED) has been recognized for its program, UMD Teen Enterprise by the University Economic Development Association (UEDA). The UMD Teen Enterprise program has been selected as a finalist in the Talent Development category of the UEDA 2013 Awards of Excellence.
Each year the UEDA "Awards of Excellence" accepts nominations from their members nation-wide for innovative programs involving economic prosperity. The UEDA awards are designed to help accelerate programs by recognizing cutting edge initiatives and promoting their adoption by other UEDA universities. Program categories include: Community Connected Campuses, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Collaboration, Research and Analysis, Talent Development.
Elaine Hansen and Sandi Larson will represent CED and the project at the UEDA summit in Pittsburgh, PA, October 27-29. Each finalist will give a 15-minute presentation at the summit that will in turn be judged by the criterion of replicability/scalability, sustainability and originality by summit attendees. Replicability and scalability measure whether a program or initiative can be reproduced in multiple institutions and whether it can be scaled up or down to fit universities of varied size. Sustainability asks whether an initiative can continue to function after its conception, has it attracted support in the local community or whether the program will have a lasting impact in its field. Lastly, originality refers to how innovative the program is, how it differentiates itself from similar programs and whether or not the ideas have met with success.
Sandi Larson, CED Public Engagement Coordinator and lead in developing UMD Teen Enterprise, said "We are thrilled to have this national exposure for UMD and the Center for Economic Development. My hope is that more universities will be inspired to start youth entrepreneurship programs. If we receive the award that will just be icing on the cake.
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THE TRUTH ABOUT GOVERNMENT SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS
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No matter what you may have read on the internet or seen on TV, the federal and state governments do not provide grants for:
- Starting a business
- Paying off business or personal debts
- Covering business operating expenses
However, there are some very specialized federal and grants available to small businesses that -- like most government grants -- come with some catches. These grants are available only to businesses in specific fields or industries identified by the federal or state government as being especially important to the nation or state as a whole, such as medical or scientific research and environmental conservation.
Federal SBIR Program R&D Grants
Businesses involved in scientific research and development (R&D) may be eligible for federal grants under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. SBIR grants can generally be used only to fund the R&D efforts of qualifying businesses to help them develop and market innovative technological products.
Just like most federal grants, SBIR grants are awarded on a "competitive basis," with potentially hundreds of businesses competing for the same grants. As a result, the application process itself can involve sizeable expenditures of money and time.
State Government Grants
Similar to federal SBIR grants, state government agencies sometimes offer "discretionary incentive grants" to businesses that, in the agencies' opinion, help stimulate the state's or region's economy and advance beneficial causes such as alternative energy development. However - as the SBA points out - the stringent eligibility requirements for these state government grants often target larger employers and prevent many smaller businesses from successfully competing for them.
Finding the Grants
By far the fastest, easiest and most comprehensive method of finding small business grants, loans and other financing options offered by both the federal and state governments is to use the SBA Loans and Grants Search Tool.
Note that when using the SBA Loans and Grants Search Tool, it is not necessary to select a specific industry from the search criteria list. In fact, if you leave all of the selection criteria blank and simply select a state, the tool will show you all grants, loans and other financing opportunities available to all types of businesses in the specified state.
The Business Grants Bottom Line
In the words of the SBA, "if you are seeking 'free money' to launch or expand your business, forget about it." Not only are government business grants difficult and often expensive to apply for, the governments awarding them typically demand some return on their taxpayers' investment. Businesses getting these grants are strictly required to perform as promised by developing and selling new technology and benefiting the regional economy.
As the SBA recommends, most small businesses or potential small business owners with a good business plan, a viable market, a great product or service, and a passion to succeed, are far better off seeking small business loans than government grants.
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