Hello Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs and Friends of NEOEDD!

Good News! There are so many exciting opportunities coming up this spring, we decided to put together a special newsletter, just to showcase it all.

Our spring calendar is packed with opportunities for you. To register for any of the following opportunities, or for more information, call us at (541) 426-3598 or (800) 645-9454.

In This Newsletter:

- Spring Business Plan Classes Start in April-Register NOW

- Nationally Known Retail Marketing Expert Comes to La Grande

- Travel Oregon Offers FREE Niche Market Tourism Development Workshops in Wallowa County

- Prize Money To Be Awarded at Entrepreneur Day in La Grande

- IDAs are BACK

- "Entrepreneur of the Year" Winners Announced in Wallowa and Union Counties

- Baker Economic Resource Alliance offers workshop, "Changing Rules: Doing Business in a New Economy," in Baker City

- Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership Offers Complimentary Special Session of Principles of Lean Enterprise in Union County

Strengthen your business! Make a Plan! A business plan, that is. You will create a plan in seven weeks with the Foundations Business Planning Course offered by the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District (NEOEDD). The seven session class will address topics such as the development of a mission statement, start-up and overhead costs, profit goal setting, cash flow, marketing, licensing and organizational structure. Participants will also learn about personal financial management and the demands of being an entrepreneur. Gwen Trice of Diversity Avenue, an image media company, completed the course last year. “This class is a must for any new entrepreneur or anyone who needs a refresher on good business practices. Lisa is a very competent facilitator who has a rare talent for drawing on participants’ strengths, which makes the class unique and extremely helpful,” said Trice. Classes will be offered in Baker City, La Grande and Enterprise. The weekly sessions will be held from 6pm to 9pm. The Baker City class will meet Monday evenings beginning April 6th. La Grande classes will be held on Tuesdays starting April 7th. The first Enterprise class will be held Thursdays, starting April 9th. Cost for the seven sessions is $100. Participants who meet income guidelines are eligible for a scholarship. To register, or for more information, call NEOEDD at 541 426-3598 or 1 800 645-9454

Nationally Acclaimed Retail Marketing Expert To Evaluate Stores in La Grande On Friday April 17th, area retailers have a unique opportunity to gain skills from nationally acclaimed visual marketing expert, Bruce Baker. Sponsored by the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District, Bruce Baker will be making a one-day stop in La Grande. Mr. Baker is offering three exciting opportunities for local retailers: two workshops and a limited number of one-on-one in-store consultations on visual marketing techniques such as store displays, signage and store lay out. These workshops are designed to help retail store owners maximize their sales potential by providing tailored instruction on merchandising and customer sales and service. Participants will receive specific techniques and training activities to take back to their businesses and use with their employees to help bolster their business, improve sales, and stay profitable during these challenging times. Mr. Baker has lead over 500 workshops throughout the United States and Canada in the last twenty years. Those who have taken Baker’s workshops report phenomenal increases in sales of as much as 20 to 30 percent. The first workshop, “Creating an Advantage: Visual Marketing and Merchandising,” will be 10:30am-noon and includes a networking lunch from noon-1pm. The second interactive workshop, “Giving Your Retail Sales a Boost: Sales and Customer Service Techniques,” is from 1pm-3pm and will cover sales techniques necessary to seal the deal and turn browsers into buyers. After 3pm, Mr. Baker will conduct one-on-one, in-store consultations with local retailers who wish to have an instant appraisal of their current practices, and receive concrete suggestions to improve their business’ performance. Only eight slots are available for in-store evaluations. Those interested are encouraged to secure a spot. The workshop will take place Friday, April 17th at the Ag Service Center in La Grande. The cost of the workshops is $25 for both workshops, lunch included, $15 for one workshop, lunch included and $10 for a one-on-one consultation. To register or for more information call (541) 426-3598 or (800) 645-9454.

Develop Your Tourism Business With Help From Travel Oregon's "Rural Tourism Studios" Rural Tourism Studios, a series of workshops offered by Travel Oregon this spring in Wallowa County, is now open for registration! The program aims to teach skills and provide networking opportunities to rural citizens interested in developing sustainable niche market tourism opportunities such as bicycle tourism, agriculture tourism, etc. Sustainable rural tourism can stimulate the local economy, protect and enhance local resources, and foster community pride. Tailored to the needs of Wallowa County, this training will focus on three niche tourism markets: bicycle tourism, agritourism and event planning. Community leaders, tourism entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers, bikers, lodging property owners, event producers and anyone with an interest in strengthening the local economy through tourism are invited to participate in the workshops. Accomplished Facilitators and Trainings Include: • Sustainable tourism development with Kristin Dahl of Travel Oregon—strategies for creating genuine visitor experiences from existing local assets • Bicycle tourism with Chris Bernhardt, Senior Planner for Alta Planning + Design • Agri-tourism with David Beurle , Director of Innovative Leadership Australia • Effective Event Planning with Brent Dahl, University of Oregon Events and Meetings Management • Funding for tourism development with Maurizio Valerio of Rural Development Initiatives Space is limited to 35 participants. Participants must live or work in Wallowa Co., commit to participating in the required courses (workshops #1 and #7 plus the niche market workshop of your choice). Oregon's Rural Tourism Studio program is designed to assist rural communities interested in sustainable tourism development. Travel Oregon hopes to see an increase in high-value, authentic tourism offerings and experiences across the state that reflect the ethos of Oregon, contributing to community livability and our state's reputation as a premiere tourism destination in North America. The Rural Tourism Studios is offered by Travel Oregon in partnership with the Eastern Oregon Visitors Association, Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce, the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District, the City of Enterprise and Wallowa Resources with support from the Hurricane Creek Grange. To register or for more information, call the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce at (541) 426-4622.

Prize Money To Be Awarded at Eastern Oregon University Small Business Development Center's Entrepreneur Day Do you have a great idea that could make you millions? Have you ever thought about turning a hobby into hard cash? Are you semi-retired, but looking for an innovative way to earn a little extra income? Perhaps you are already in business and you want to sharpen up your business skills? Good news! Your opportunity may be just around the corner. On Friday, April 24th, 2009 the Eastern Oregon University Small Business Development Center will be hosting its second Entrepreneur Day and business plan competition. Entrepreneur Day promises to be a fun-filled time focused on strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners operating in Eastern Oregon. The day includes a business plan competition, professional development courses and a fair showcase, exhibiting what's best in our rural communities. "Entrepreneur Day provides a great opportunity for small business owners to learn best practices from some of the finest professionals in our area," said Michael Jaeger, Provost of Eastern Oregon University. "We anticipate it once again being a grand success." Business Plans are due to the Eastern Oregon University Small Business Development Center by Friday, April 17th. Prize money will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners, along with the covenanted "Most Innovative Idea Award." The prize money is donated by local financial institutions with their executives serving on the judging panel. "The Entrepreneur Day Business Plan Competition was just what we needed to think deeply about our marketing strategy and get serious about writing a formal business plan. It was an awesome experience with a very tangible result--a functional business plan to guide our day-to-day decision making," stated Angie Johnson, Canyon Mountain Foods, LLC. "We are very grateful to the sponsors of this competition, as well as those who taught the entrepreneurship classes. It was a fun and rewarding event!" For more information about Entrepreneurship Day call the Eastern Oregon University Small Business Development Center at (541) 962-1532.

"Enterpreneur of the Year," Announced in Union and Wallowa Counties Mt. Emily Ale House unceremoniously opened its doors less than a month ago. Opening night had not been announced, yet the tables were packed all night. Things have not calmed down since for Jerry Grant, owner, operator and master brewer of the new brewpub located in downtown La Grande. Grant is being honored as the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District’s (NEOEDD) 2009 Union County “Entrepreneur of the Year.” The award was developed by NEOEDD to recognize an individual who demonstrates excellent entrepreneurial characteristics. Lisa Dawson, Executive Director of NEOEDD explains, “Jerry Grant is a great example of an entrepreneur who recognized the opportunity and took a calculated risk to create Mt. Emily Ale House which has already enhanced the charm of downtown La Grande.” Grant, who started brewing in his home as a hobby in 1992, was originally a fisheries biologist. Looking for a career change, he enrolled in the University of California’s Master Brewer Program in 2007. Grant had moved to La Grande in 2004 for a research position with United States Fish and Wildlife and explains that the high quality of life, affordability and the strong friendships he made, kept him loyal to La Grande. “The demand for a social meeting spot with a venue for music, cultural activities, meetings and parties was there,” Grant explained, “someone just needed to do it.” Meanwhile, in Wallowa County, Heidi Wilson, owner and operator of the Blond Strawberry a coffee and sandwich shop in Wallowa, was honored as the "Entrepreneur of the Year." It was children that inspired Wilson's business and children that created the focus for the business, which is admired for the fact that it is "kid friendly" and offers a space for children to play while moms meet and enjoy coffee. Wilson began the coffee shop in December of 2005 when her little girl began kindergarten and she had a bit of free time. "I wanted to have a business in Wallowa that provided a space for local people and moms to bring their kids," she said. She also wanted to have a location where book signings, poetry readings, art shows and other community events could be held. "I do events from ditch meetings to Fishtrap readings," Wilson laughed. "We have the reading of first grade memoirs here." Residents who nominated Wilson spoke glowingly of her continued enthusiasm with going above and beyond. "She was chosen because she's really filled a niche the community needed," said Julie Mullen, program coordinator for NEOEDD. "One nominator said she had created 'the hub' of the community." Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate their favorite entrepreneur. Everyone who was nominated received a congratulatory card, notifying them that they had been nominated for the award.

Individual Development Accounts Are BACK! An Individual Development Account, or IDA, is a special savings account designed to help those of modest finances save money for business purchases. Northeast Oregon Economic Development District’s (NEOEDD) business IDA program is a 3:1 matched savings program, which means if you save $1.00, the program will match that with $3.00. The savings and match can be used to start or expand a business, pay for post secondary education and training that will contribute to the viability of your business, or pay for adaptive equipment or training needed for you to be competitive in obtaining or maintaining your business. In addition to earning match dollars, IDA participants learn about budgeting, saving, banking and more. IDA applicants are required to complete financial literacy training and complete three months of pre-savings of at least $25 a month. Once applicants are accepted into the program, they will also attend business planning classes. Staff from NEOEDD will help IDA participants meet these requirements by providing training and one-on-one consultation. For more information about the IDA program or to see if you qualify, call NEOEDD at (541) 426-3598 or (800) 645-9454.

Baker Economic Resource Alliance Presents, "Changing Rules: Doing Business in a New Economy," a Business Resource Fair No more business as usual! With the shift in the economy, it is a whole new ball game these days. Things have to change. Figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. Statistics show that those who prepare for times of change are those who do more than just survive, they can thrive. This two day event spanning April 3rd and 4th will prepare you to do just that: thrive! Prepare yourself to lead your customers and community. Entrepreneur and strategist, Kathie Nelson will inspire you with fresh insight and tools to sort through conventional business wisdom with critical new business strategies to guide you through the upcoming year. At this powerful event you'll learn how to: * become the “Voice of Reason” in a turbulent business climate. * identify your ideal customers and grab their attention. * get un-stuck when you find yourself stalled out. * successfully re-purpose, re-tool, or re-position yourself – and why you must do it. * create a business dashboard that keeps your finger on the pulse of the activities that make you money. Kathie ’s signature talks leave audiences motivated with tools in hand to more effectively serve customers and build sustainable businesses doing what they love! For more information on this two day event, contact the Baker County Chamber of Commerce at (541) 523-5855.

Don't Miss This Opportunity to Participate in a Complimentary Session of Principles of Lean Enterprise Sponsored by the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP), this highly interactive and informative one-day session provides an overview of the principles of Lean Enterprise for company decision makers. You'll experience: -How Lean Enterprise tools and programs apply in today's environment -An immediate opportunity to apply the principles learned in the class in a simulated processing plant The event will be held at Eastern Oregon University Integrated Services Building on 1607 Gekeler Lane, La Grande, OR, rooms 147 & 153, Thursday, April 23, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Lunch and beverages provided. Manufacturers in Oregon are reaping the benefits of training and implementation of Lean in their plants.

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To register or for more information, call us at (541) 426-3598 or (800) 645-9454.