Perpetua’s move to the Enterprise Zone entitles the company to tax breaks in exchange for creating jobs and promoting an element of sustainability in its products and/or business practices. In Perpetua’s case, its energy harvesting devices generate power from temperature fluctuations, eliminating the need for batteries, which aids waste reduction.

More information available at Perpetua’s website here and a recent Gazette-Times article here.

Benton County zoning had previously permitted a different set of uses from those in the former AIP Master Plan, causing a lack of clarity regarding which uses would be acceptable and uncertainty about the approval process. With both sets of uses brought into a alignment, the process will be more straightforward and require fewer steps than at present. The process is not quite yet complete, but the City and County are working together closely to get details harmonized, and the final steps should be completed soon.

Contact number for more information or to register: 541-917-4923

The next series of classes will begin January 10, 2012.

Explore & Commit offers (11) sessions of small business training workshops, counseling and technical assistance, advice on accessing capital and networking opportunities.

Introduction Sessions are scheduled for

• Tuesday, January 3rd, 6:00-8:00 pm, Albany campus, Room CC213.
• Wednesday, January 4th, 6:00-8:00 pm, Corvallis, Location & Room TBD.

Class sessions begin January 10th in Corvallis – Room TBD.
Cost $349 with partial scholarships available based on income.

Before you leap into action and spend your savings starting a business, here is an opportunity to test your theory and see if it has a chance of succeeding.

To register or ask questions call 541-917-4974.

Note: You must attend an orientation to attend the class.

Launch Your Business is aimed at existing businesses that want to grow or expand. This nine-month instructor-led peer support group meets once a month for timely help with typical challenges faced by first-time entrepreneurs.  Topics include: market niche, customer base, hiring & managing employees, using technology in your business etc.  Included at no extra cost is two hours per month of confidential, one-on-one business advising!

Classes begin Monday, January 23, 2012 and generally meet the third Monday of each month except holidays.  Cost $299 with partial scholarships available.  Room CC213, 6:30pm-8:30pm.

To register or ask questions call 541-917-4923

Veteran’s Small Business Management Program

Based on the highly successful Small Business Management Program but tailored to the specific needs of Veteran Entrepreneurs.  Nine valuable classroom sessions and monthly personal advising meetings to work on individual business needs.

Contact to for more information or to register: 541-917-4923

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.

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.

Three series will be presented this year, each one offering (11) sessions of small business training workshops, counseling and technical assistance, advice on accessing capital and networking opportunities.  The first series will be offered in Lebanon, Tuesdays, September 27^th through
December 6^th.   The winter series will be held in Corvallis and spring workshops in Albany.

Join us for an Intro Session to learn more:

 Monday, Sept. 19, Corvallis
6:00-8:00pm, Benton Center 107, 757 NW Polk Avenue, Corvallis

Tuesday, Sept.20, Albany
6:00-8:00pm, LBCC Main Campus, Rm. 213, 6500 Pacific Blvd

You must attend an introduction session in order to register for the program.  Fees will be based on a sliding scale depending on household income.

Questions: 541-917-4929       -       Registration: 541-917-4923