Lynn Brittner, Executive Director, started planning the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum more than 10 years ago. The Center's opening this past May was her reward for years of dedication to her vision.

Brittner's relationship with Joe Keck and the Southwest Colorado SBDC started way back at the beginning. She needed help and only had three people on her staff. A grant from the Administration for Native Americans provided funds for her to take Board members to visit other successful and non-successful museums around the country with an emphasis on tribal museums. They had a lot to learn about creating a world class structure inside and out in Ignacio.

Keck had students from a business plan at Fort Lewis Community College help with the research she would need to write the business plan. "He has also been a consistent support and ongoing resource. He has introduced me to people who could help me with various aspects of the project and found us grant money to update the strategic plan. He is such a great guy," she gushes about Keck.

Bittner was surprised at how many details have to be considered in creating a museum and exhibits. "We had to consider the exterior design, the interior design, signage, height of the educational plaques, size of the displays, as well as their user friendliness and degree of engagement."

Finding and hiring the right people for your business requires a major investment of your time and money - costs which directly affect your bottom line. Connecting Colorado offers a more cost-effective way to recruiting and hiring. On their website, you can post job openings, review resumes and connect with qualified workers. Click here to visit the website.

Nominate a company for the 2013 Colorado Companies to Watch Award!  Click here to nominate!

This unique awards program, developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation, produces a multitude of benefits for all stakeholders. Participating companies have the opportunity to gain increased visibility in local and state communities as well as to improve stakeholder relationships and contribute to a dynamic business environment. Citizens will have increased access to rewarding income opportunities and be able to build pride in innovative and valuable entrepreneurial companies. The state of Colorado will be able to showcase trend-setting leaders in diverse entrepreneurial fields that strengthen the state's economy. Do you know of a company that's worth watching? Nominate that company. If yours is such a company, apply directly.

The end of the year is fast approaching, but there's still time to take advantage of a variety of business tax credits and deductions - some of which are new for 2012. 

Here are just a few to consider, plus some best practices for maximizing your claims.

1. Take Advantage of 2012 "Section 179" Deduction Limits
2. Get a Tax Credit for Hiring a Veteran before December 31, 2012
3. Start a Business in 2012? Keep Good Records to Claim Start-Up Deductions
4. Log and Capture Business Travel Costs
5. Set Up or Grow your Retirement Plan
6. Contribute to Charity

In recognition of the small business community's contribution to the American economy and society, the President of the United States designates one week each year as National Small Business Week Small Business Week 2013 which will be celebrated in Spring 2013.  

Leading up to National Small Business Week 2013 (SBW 2013), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), often in conjunction with public- and private-sector small business supporters, will host special events at the local and state levels to honor and present awards to local entrepreneurs and those who support and champion small business. Many of the award winners from those local and state events will be invited to Washington, D.C. for SBW '13 - Celebrating National Small Business Week. 

Click here for the types of awards given as well as the nomination process and nomination form.