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December 11th, 2012 Issue #63
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Director's Corner
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Dear ,
As the year winds down to a close, we have been extremely busy supporting new and existing entrepreneurs. We are also getting everything ready for our 13th Annual Economic Forecast Conference. This year it's being held in Oroville and there will be a hot breakfast! Speaking of food, we'll be serving lunch as well because we're taking advantage of the facilities and having a set of breakout sessions in the afternoon. These breakout sessions are your opportunity to participate in a number of facilitated conversations on different topics impacting our collective ability to get our economy moving! This will be THE must attend conference of the year - You Need To Be There! To try and expand our services to our clients we have added two new tools to our tool belt. The first is an online web portal called eCenter, which allows our clients to sign up for consultation online. Clients can view and sign up for low cost/no cost workshops throughout the NECSBDC region. To check out eCenter CLICK HERE. We have also added a Spanish resources section to our website that offers a variety of business resources in Spanish. To check out the Spanish resources page CLICK HERE. We also have a couple of success stories to share with you. All of us at the Northeastern CA SBDC are grateful to have the opportunity to work with you and have your support. Although we are living in challenging economic times, we are hopeful that 2013 is a better year for everyone.
Sincerely,
Jonny Clark
IT Associate
Northeastern California SBDC Lead Center
California State University, Chico
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NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
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The Power of Thanks
by Kelly Bigelbach
The end of the year can be an emotional time. Frustration with holiday shopping lines, the joy of spending time with family and friends, reflections on the year past can be just the beginning. My Mom always goes around the Thanksgiving table and has each of us tell what we're grateful for. Sure it's a little cheesy but it's about being thankful for what's important in your life. As a business owner, I'm betting you are most grateful for your customers. They are, after all, the lifeblood of your success.
This time of year is the perfect occasion for thanking those who have stood by us, who allow us to continue to realize our entrepreneurial dreams. Giving holiday gifts to your customers is the perfect way to show your appreciation. In fact, this is truly an investment in your company. A thoughtful gift can build loyalty with your customers and ensure repeat business. Here are a couple of things to think about: READ MORE |
| CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS NEWS |
The Western Trade Adjustment Assistance Center -
TAA for Firms Success Story
A California manufacturing company that specializes in the die casting of aluminum and zinc alloy products suffered from a shrinking market share due to import competition from Canada and the Asia Pacific Rim region, primarily China and Taiwan.
As a result, aluminum casting sales decreased 12% and employment decreased 21% during this period. When they entered the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program, the Western Trade Adjustment Assistance staff worked with the company to become certified and to develop an Adjustment Plan (AP) that focused on high volume output, the development of more complex die cast parts, and expanding, and diversifying its customer base. The Western TAAC provided $66,609 in matching funds for production engineering projects to bring online high volume machinery, update furnaces and train their staff. The company graduated from the TAAF program in 2011 with an increase in employment by 4 percent to 26 employees and an increase in sales by 37%. In 2012, this company has experienced a positive trend in onshoring where die casting is returning from India due to their quality of work, competitiveness and cost effectiveness. Because of this company's commitment to recycling and reusing 100% of its aluminum and zinc alloy materials, their energy conservation with the installation of a clean and renewable solar energy system, they are able to provide lower aluminum and zinc die casting operating costs, and to remain competitive both nationally and internationally and to create more U.S. jobs. For information about the TAAF program please contact (213) 821-1404.
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REGIONAL SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
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Register Today
2013 Economic Forecast Conference
January 17, 2013
Gold Country Event Center
4020 Olive Hwy Oroville, CA CONFERENCE PRESENTED BY: The 2013 Economic Forecast Conference will provide an in-depth and candid look at where the national, state and North Valley economies are heading in the near and long-term future.
Expanded and improved to give you the critical information needed for successful business, community and strategic planning. REGISTRATIONRegistration is $79 (non-refundable) per person. I ncludes hot breakfast, general session, lunch, breakout sessions and one copy of the North Valley Economic Scorecard, 3rd Edition. Full tables of 8 are available for $553, a savings of $79.00. To Register Online: Click Here SCHEDULE Breakfast and Registration 7:30 - 8:30 AM
General Session 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Main Session Speakers: John Chiang, California State Controller: "The State of the California Economy" Dr. Robert Elyer, Sonoma State University: "The Regional Economic Outlook"
Kevin Klowden, Director and Managing Economist for the CA Milken Institute
Scott Gruendl, Director of Glenn County Health Services: Collaboration Success Kish Rajan- Director, Go Biz: California Economic Development Outlook Keynote Speaker: Harry Moser, President, The Reshoring Initiative: "The Reshoring Trend: How Northern California Can Get on Board" Lunch 12:00 - 1:30 PM
Breakout Sessions
Collaboration at the Next Level: Growing the Economy of the North Valley
Manufacturing Technology/Innovation Trends in Real Estate
Small Business Regulatory Reform
Healthcare in the North Valley North Valley Transportation
Workforce Development International TradeNative American Economic Development
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REGIONAL SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
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NECSBDC Success Story 
Greenline Cycles
Background:Greenline Cycles is a retail bicycle business owned and operated by Dacques Downey in Oroville California. The business has been in operation since 1992, originally owned by Mr. Downey's father. In the late 90's the NEC Small Business Development Center at Butte College worked with Mr. Downey and his dad to transfer the business from his dad's ownership to Mr. Downey. Mr. Downey worked with the NEC Small Business Development Center at Butte College business consultants for many years to develop and grow his bicycle business. After years of assistance from the NEC Small Business Development Center at Butte College, the business continued to thrive, and Mr. Downey no longer needed the assistance of the NEC Small Business Development Center at Butte College. In November 2011, Mr. Downey called the NEC Small Business Development Center at Butte College for assistance with moving his business from Oroville to Chico where he lives. He wanted to move to Chico to reduce his commute time and costs, and spend more time with his daughter who was about to enter the first grade. Challenges: Ensuring that the move from Oroville to Chico would be financially feasible, limiting the costs associated with the move, re-inventing the business, filling a niche that was missing in the local market and making a decision based on good information. READ MORE
Greenline Cycle Website
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Sincerely,
Dan Ripke
Director
Northeastern California SBDC Lead Center
& Center for Economic Development
California State University, Chico
www.necsbdc.org
(530) 898-4598
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