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Happy New Year from NEOEDD!
The NEOEDD newsletter is designed to provide information of interest to community leaders and business owners in our three-county service area (Baker, Union, and Wallowa counties).
Popular Business Planning Classes Are Back!
NEOEDD will offer the Foundations business planning class in Baker City, La Grande and Enterprise, starting in late January. The class will also be held in Halfway and Enterprise starting in late March.
The seven-session series of classes will take current and prospective business owners through the process of assessing their business plan and help them answer a myriad of questions about pricing, marketing, profit potential, break-even point and business structure. The classes are very interactive and participants will be encouraged to complete a written business plan by the end of the class.
Classes will be held on Monday nights in Baker City, Tuesday nights in La Grande and Wednesday nights in Enterprise. Halfway classes will be held Tuesday nights, and we'll offer a Tuesday morning class in Enterprise starting the end of March. Most classes are held from 6-9 p.m.; the time of the Enterprise morning class is still to be determined. Contact us at 541-426-3598 or 800-645-9454 if you have any questions, or to pre-register.
Here’s what former class participants have to say about the Foundations class:
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“The class helped me better understand the business world, business terms and to explore how much it really costs for me to produce my product.”
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“Working out a unit of sales, finding a break-even point and using formulas to help predict future income was very helpful.”
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“The size of the class (6-8 people) worked well because we were exposed to several types of businesses and the challenges faced by each.”
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“The instructor did an amazing job and has a wealth of knowledge and ideas.”
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“The class helped me with the planning, networking and encouragement needed to proceed with my idea.”
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“I learned how to do a more detailed analysis of financials and projected costs.”
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“I was able to revise my business plan to better meet my goals.”
Classes will be free. Pre-registration is required and the classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The classes are subsidized by the Oregon Community Development Block Grant program, and the program requires a minimum of 51% of class participants to meet low/moderate income requirements. Documentation of household financial income will be required of all participants.
Training Available for Quicken Home and Business Financial Software
Tax Season is here! If you are having a bit of a problem separating your personal and business finances and wish you had kept better track of your business expenses in 2011, help is on the way. This winter, NEOEDD will be offering software and introductory classes for Quicken Home and Business. During class, you will be able to use your laptop to connect to the Internet and actually get started using the software. If you do not have a laptop, you can take the software home and follow up on the tasks that were shown during the class.
The first class in La Grande will be held on Tuesday, January 31, from 7:00-8:30 a.m. Follow-up sessions will be held the following two weeks for class participants who want additional help using the software. The first class will be held in Enterprise on Thursday, Jan. 19 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. The first class in Baker City will be held Tuesday, February 28 from 7:00-8:30 a.m.
Classes will be free. Pre-registration is required and the classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Classes are subsidized by the Oregon Community Development Block Grant program, and the program requires a minimum of 51% of class participants to meet low/moderate income requirements. Documentation of household financial income will be required of all participants.
For more information, or to sign up, contact NEOEDD at 541-426-3598 or lisadawson@neoedd.org.
PubTalk Highlights Alternative Marketing Strategies for Business
 What happens when businesses start thinking outside the box with their marketing? How can a local business get its name out in unforgettable ways? At this month’s PubTalk in La Grande, a local business owner and a marketing professor at EOU will be giving examples of alternative marketing that should stimulate local businesses’ creativity in this exciting area.
The event will be held Wednesday, January 25th, at 6:00 p.m. at Mt. Emily Ale House in La Grande. Keynote speakers are Kevin Loveland of Loveland Funeral Chapel and Dr. Shari Carpenter, Associate Professor of Business at Eastern Oregon University. The PubTalk will also feature a short business presentation by Tony Corig of Direct Music Source.
PubTalk® is a business networking event hosted by the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District [NEOEDD] and Community Bank. PubTalks are open to all business owners or those thinking of starting a business.
Tickets are $5 and include light refreshments. Contact NEOEDD with any questions: 541-426-3598 or jeffmoss@neoedd.org. Come eat, drink, and network!
Wallowa County Food System Council to meet February 6
Anyone interested in building a healthier local food system is encouraged to attend the next meeting of the Wallowa County Food System Council on Monday, February 6th, at the Fishtrap House in Enterprise.
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a potluck, followed by a discussion of efforts to engage local food producers, retail, restaurants and consumers in the community food assessment being prepared by Joshua Russell, Food Systems Specialist at NE Oregon Economic Development District. Joshua has been interviewing local producers and retail establishments for the community food assessment and will report on his activities to date.
Notes from the meeting held on January 3rd, 2012, as well as the notes from the previous meetings, can be found here on our Facebook page.
For more information, call Joshua Russell at 541 426 3598, or email to joshuarussell@neoedd.org.
NEOEDD Grant-Writing Services
NEOEDD offers specialized grant-writing services to local governments and non-profits. Services can include grant searches, and assistance preparing grant narratives and required financial and budget information.
Two of the region’s non-profit organizations recently took advantage of our grant-writing expertise.
Fishtrap, in Enterprise, promotes clear thinking and good writing in and about the West. Thousands of writers, teachers, students and readers from around the west have been served by Fishtrap’s high-quality programs, including workshops, readings, classes, conferences, Fellowships, and residencies. Ann Whitfield Powers took over as Fishtrap’s new Executive Director in July. Fishtrap is in the process of filling their Development Coordinator position, but in the meantime, several important grant deadlines were coming up, so Powers contracted with NEOEDD to help with grant proposals and grant reporting.
Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center of Wallowa contracted with NEOEDDD for assistance in preparing their first Grassroots Grant request for operating funds from Meyer Memorial Trust.
National Endowment for the Arts: Our Town Grants Available
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced the guidelines for the 2012 Our Town grants. Our Town supports creative placemaking projects that enhance the livability of communities by investing in creative and innovative projects. Projects may include planning, design, and arts engagement activities that reflect a systemic approach to civic development and a persuasive vision for enhanced community vibrancy.
Pending availability of funding, grants will range from $25,000 to $150,000. Complete guidelines are available here. The application deadline is March 1, 2012. NEA staff will conduct Our Town webinars on Wednesday, January 11 and Tuesday, February 7, 2012 to answer questions and walk applicants through this year's guidelines. Schedule and registration details will be posted on the Our Town guidelines webpage next week. For more information on creative placemaking and to view the 51 Our Town grants awarded in 2011, visit http://www.arts.gov/national/ourtown/index.php.
NADO Research Foundation Releases Rural Transportation Planning Report
The NADO Research Foundation released the new report Transportation Project Prioritization and Performance-based Planning Efforts in Rural and Small Metropolitan Regions (PDF). This report provides an overview of the state of the practice in non-metro regional transportation planning, including the contract amounts, RPO tasks, and committee structures. The research also examines rural long-range planning efforts and criteria used to rank regional priority projects. With case studies on the statewide and regional planning processes in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington, the document provides examples for rural and small metro regions looking to formalize their planning process.
This report was developed with support from the Federal Highway Administration. View the report here (PDF).
Several other rural transportation-related reports have also been published by the NADO Research Foundation in recent months. These include:
• Regional Approaches to Sustainable Development (PDF)
• Connecting the DOTs (PDF)
• Inland Ports: Linking Freight and Regional Economic Development (PDF)
• Exploring the Role of Regional Transportation Projects as Rural Economy Drivers (PDF)
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Resource Tool - 2010 Census Pop Search
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Data from the 2010 census is available at 2010.census.gov. However, if you are looking for a quick tool to know the population per county or cities then go to http://2010.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=41063:41061:41001
Select the state you desire to search within then select the county then select a city classified as Major Civil Divisions. In an easy to read and download format you are provided with: Total Population, Housing Status, Population by Gender, Ethnicity and Race. |
Transportation Resource - Drive Less Connect
Rideshare Online is now called Drive Less Connect. Drive Less Connect is the online tool that connects people in Oregon and Washington who want to save money, reduce fuel consumption, and produce fewer tailpipe emissions by sharing rides in carpools and vanpools. For more information visit drivelessconnect.com.
America's Media Makers Grant Program
Deadline: January 11, 2011
The National Endowment for the Humanities has announced the America's Media Makers grant program. This program supports programs that engage the public in the humanities and that explore stories, ideas, and beliefs in order to deepen our understanding of our lives and our world. Both Planning and Development grants are available.
Eligibility for Native American Tribal governments (Federally Recognized); State, County, City, and Township governments; Public, Private, and State-Controlled Institutions of Higher Education; and Nonprofits
To learn more about this opportunity on grants.gov, click here.
Grant Opportunity for Small Businesses
Business Oregon Now Accepting Applications for Grants to be Awarded to Oregon Companies Exhibiting Overseas
Grants are now available for Oregon small businesses to help offset the costs of exhibiting their goods and services at international trade shows in 2012. Oregon recently received a $375,000 federal grant from the U.S. SBA to create a pilot program that will help Oregon firms find new customers and markets around the globe. The funding will support Oregon companies' participation in international trade shows and trade missions through individual grants of up to $5,000.
Applicants may suggest specific trade shows or trade development activities of interest. Grant dollars are available to help off-set the cost of attending seminars and workshops as well. Apply and receive more information on the STEP Program Web page.
Calendar of Events
January 11 (Wed.), America's Media Makers grant application deadline
January 11 (Wed.), National Endowment for the Arts Our Town webinar
January 19 (Thurs.), Quicken Home and Business class in Enterprise
January 23 (Mon.), Foundations business planning class begins in Baker City
January 24 (Tues.), Foundations business planning class begins in La Grande
January 25 (Wed.), PubTalk at Mt. Emily Ale House in La Grande
January 31 (Tues.), Quicken Home and Business class in La Grande
February 1 (Wed.), Foundations business planning class begins in Enterprise
February 6 (Mon.), Wallowa County Food System Council meeting in Enterprise
Feburary 7 (Tues.), National Endowment for the Arts Our Town webinar
February 28 (Tues.), Quicken Home and Business class in Baker City
March 1 (Thurs.), National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant application deadline
Find NEOEDD on Facebook and Twitter
Connect with us through social media to find out about training and organizing events and other useful information for businesses in Northeast Oregon. Like us on Facebook (NEOEDD) or follow us on Twitter @neoedd today—or both! |
