ITEM TITLE:
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Approval of Contract with UAA Small Business Development Center for Business Workshop Training
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SUBMITTED BY: Lisa Von Bargen, CED Director
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: $25,000 + travel
Unencumbered Balance: $180,000
Funding Source: 001-5400-43400 ED Contractual Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve Contract with UAA Small Business Development Center for Business Workshop Training.
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SUMMARY STATEMENT:
In November the ED Commission hosted Julie Nolan from the UAA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the monthly business luncheon. She gave an introduction to one of the many business development workshops SBDC provides to upcoming and current business owners. It was clear from those that attended that business education workshops (especially among young would-be entrepreneurs) would be most welcome and are much needed in the community. Lamar Cotten (ED Contract staff) began a dialogue with the SBDC about bringing this service to Valdez.
The SBDC provides both loan subsidies and technical advice to new and existing businesses. The program (https://aksbdc.org) involves a series of practical steps to evaluate establishing or expanding a business.
The SBDC seeks to develop a strategic partnership with communities and local organizations. After a series of discussions the SBDC has offered the following for work in Valdez. SBDC will:
* Provide (for residents) free confidential one-on-one business advising services beginning in January;
* Visit once or twice a month, for 1-3 days per trip, not to exceed 18 trips during the course of the year;
* Offer a combination of 1:1 advising sessions for small groups and small business workshops;
* Provide the highest impact for Valdez and to schedule advising sessions based on community needs;
* Russ Talvi with the Fairbanks SBDC office will be the lead advisor for the program.
Both parties agree that the basis for the program's success is for the EDC and the SBDC to work closely on ...
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