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Your chamber continues to create strong service partnerships on behalf of the small business community in Beaverton. The chamber is privileged to partner with the Small Business Development Center- Portland Community College (SBDC-PCC), a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. TheChamber hosts SBDC advisor, Jon-Michael Kowertz every first Wednesday of the month from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and third Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM for free and confidential, one-on-one business advising.

As additional resource for small businesses in Beaverton, owners and entrepreneurs can schedule an appointment for SBDC advising and conveniently meet at the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce. Candidates for advising may need help in business start-up, marketing, planning, financing, loan package development and more. Business advising is at no charge and does not require chamber membership. To learn more about how the SBDC can help your business or to arrange an appointment contact the chamber at 503-350-2007 or email Michelle. 

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On-the-Job Training Reimbursements Available for Local Businesses 

WorkSource Centers are currently offering reimbursements to support local businesses for providing On-the-Job Training (OJT) to their newly-hired employees.  Through state and federal grants (via WorkSystems, Inc.), WorkSource is able to reimburse companies up to 50% of the wages for their new hires during the training period.

Hundreds of small and medium-sized companies throughout Washington and Multnomah Counties have utilized the OJT Program over the past few years to train and keep skilled, productive workers.  This program has proven to be a very cost-effective way to develop talent for businesses that require unique or niche skill sets.  It also benefits the economy by helping job seekers who may be otherwise highly-qualified for a job but for the lack of a couple of missing skills.  Examples of successful OJT's in Washington County this past year have included a wide range of skilled occupations, such as warehouse workers, bookkeepers, field service technicians, electronics technicians, and software developers.

For more information about the OJT Program or to see if your business is eligible, contact your local WorkSource Center.   Businesses located in Washington County, call 503-526-2712 (Alicia) or 503-612-4214 (Bryan).  Businesses in Multnomah County, call 503-280-6633 (Rhonda) or 503-669-7112, ext. 250 (Miriam).

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 Breakfast Forum : January 29 at the Embassy Suites, 7:30am - 9:30am
9000 SW Washington Square Road, Tigard

Contact: Karin Kelley-Torregroza @ Vision Action Network 503-846-5792

The first members of the baby boomer generation will be turning 68 this year. Is your organization prepared for the challenges these highly-experienced, technically-skilled boomers will create in their mass exit from the workforce? Join leading experts in the field of economics, law, small-business development, human resources management, and gerontology to prepare your company for what lies ahead.

Keynote by Robert Romasco, AARP National Board President

Panelists include: 

• Camron Doss, District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, responsible for the delivery of the SBA's programs and services throughout most of Oregon and four counties in Southwest Washington.  
• Jack Bigej, CEO of Al's Garden Center, will be sharing his insights on succession planning in a family-owned business.  Family owned for three generations, Al's Garden Center has grown to three retail locations employing more than 200 people locally.  
• Kevin Cahill is a senior economist with ECONorthwest and a research economist with the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College. His current projects examine patterns of labor force withdrawal, including bridge job employment and re-entry, retirement income, occupational changes later in life, and the role of employer-provided pensions in the retirement decisions of older workers.
• Comcast HR Leader, lauded by AARP for innovation in recruitment and retention of older workers, will be bringing expertise on training and development, talent management and the use of technology in their HR and other management practices.  
• Business Journal Editor, Rob Smith, will moderate the discussion as we explore best practices for turning the challenges of an aging workforce into golden opportunities.

Attendance is free, space is limited, registration is required. Click here to learn more information and to register.

Sponsored by: Banks, Beaverton, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin Chambers of Commerce and the Central Bethany Development.

This Week: January 10, 2014 - Wells Fargo Bank at Town Square, 11601 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway