Starting the first week in December the BEC will sponsor and host (location TBD) the reinstituted SWOT process that former BEC member John Sechrest ran so successfully over at the Chamber-Coalition. Companies can pitch and get feedback from seasoned industry veterans on their business plan, and meet and network with a group of successful business professionals, many who are local investors. This can be an ask for money but usually it is a “pre-ask” tune up that allows the start-ups to improve their business plan and idea to the point when they do ask, they receive.

For a small up-front fee of $50 for the first session, the start-up team gets at least an hour’s audience.

If the company wants a second or third round, the price goes up to $100 for the second session and $250 for the final round.
Will It Fly? Come to the BEC and find the answer.

The Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) held its first meeting Oct. 4th. to kick-off the start of a year long process to update the Corvallis Municipal Airport Master Plan. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that airports update their long term planning documents every seven to ten years. The last Master Plan update for Corvallis was in 2001. So it is that time again!

Corvallis received a grant from the FAA to cover 95% of the cost with the remaining 5% being a city match.  Using federal guidelines for consultant selection, Coffman Associates, a national aviation planning firm, was selected to do the update. Airport planner, Patrick Taylor, project manager, led the PAC through the orientation and process requirements. PAC member, Biff Traber (541-766-6498 )is representing the City on the airport commission.  The BEC is represented by Bill Ford and Kyle Mason who will take an active role in the process.

Follow the progress on the Corvallis Municipal Airport Web  or on the Industrial Lands page of the Business Enterprise Center web site.  If you have a good idea for consideration please submit it to one of the PAC members, call 541-758-4009, or email thebec@thebec.com. This is a public process and there will be at least one public general meeting prior to publication of the updated plan.

Stay tuned for updates.

Many hard working Oregonians, unemployed for the first time in their adult lives, are turning to micro businesses to provide critical income for themselves and their families.  A micro business is one that takes less than $35,000 to start and typically provides employment for 1-3 people.

Many of these people have never been self-employed before, but bring well developed qualities of common sense and discipline to their effort.  Since they don’t have direct experience overcoming the challenges that typically arise for micro entrepreneurs – how to price their services, how to reach the customers and how to get the cash flowing – they risk losing the precious resources they invest to get started.

Now LBCC’s Small Business Development Center at LBCC has a program just for these first time entrepreneurs.  It’s the three-part MicroEnterprise Program.

MicroBusiness Explore and Commit  (Part I)  Fall Class Schedule
Free introduction sessions will be held Sept. 19^th – Corvallis,  Sept. 20^th Albany and Sept. 21^st - Lebanon).  You must attend an introduction session to enroll in the series. Fee will be on a sliding scale.  Details here…

The first 8 week course, MicroBusiness Explore and Commit, helps you take a look at your business idea from several angles to decide if it’s one that will make you money.

• You’ll look carefully at your business idea, at what need it fills for your potential customers, how much they might be willing to pay, and who’s your competition.
• You’ll research where your customers are and how best to reach them with your message.
• You’ll learn how money flows in a small business; how to track it with straightforward record keeping practices, how much you’ll need to launch and sustain yourself and where you might find cash to get you going.
• Finally, you’ll learn what risks are typical, what licenses or regulations are required, what legal entity is best for your type of business and how to work with professionals to make sure you have covered all the legal bases as you launch.

Once you’ve looked at your business idea from all those perspectives, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on whether to move ahead.

Launch Prep Workshops  (Part II)
Those who commit to launching can then take a series of hands-on Launch Prep Workshops to help you set up your financial systems, find your customers, plan your marketing strategy and document the business plan that is necessary to obtain funding to get you started.

Launch Your Business (Part III)
Finally, Launch Your Business, is a year-long instructor led, opportunity which meets monthly as a group to take on the topics that that typically arise during the first year of a new business.

Throughout all three programs participants receive free one-on-one business advising.  The SBDC business counselors, all experienced small business owners themselves, are available at no charge, as often as you need them, to help you work through your specific challenges and opportunities.

More Information:
Questions/Register:  Call Anne at 541-917-4929 or contact microbiz@linnbenton.edu .