What's New for Idaho Small Businesses

• Doing Business with the Government Workshop - January 31, Emmett. Sponsored by Idaho Department of Commerce. For information, see http://commerce.idaho.gov/business/business-development/government-contracting/

• Budgeting Using QuickBooks - February 6, North Idaho College, Post Falls. For information, see http://www.idahosbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=80310068

• PrimusGFS GAP Certification for Produce Growers - February 14, Idaho Falls and February 16, Moscow. Sponsored by TechHelp. For information or to register, see http://www.techhelp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=calendar.detail&id=492

• Estimating and Job Costing Using QuickBooks - February 15, Post Falls. For information, see http://www.idahosbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=80310070

• Driving Restaurant Profits - February 23, North Idaho College, Post Falls. For information, see http://www.idahosbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=80310071

• Introduction to Food Safety and HACCP - March 6, Caldwell. Sponsored by University of Idaho and TechHelp. For information and to register, see http://www.techhelp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=calendar.detail&id=493

• Idaho Conference on Recreation and Tourism - May 8-10, Coeur d'Alene. Lodging property owners and managers, outfitters and guides, campground owners, other tourism industry professionals and recreation providers should plan to attend. Sponsored by ID Department of Commerce. For information, see http://commerce.idaho.gov/events/2012/05/idaho-conference-on-recreation-and-tourism-.aspx
  

• New Loan Program for Idaho Businesses As part of a plan to create jobs, the U.S. Treasury has made $13.2 million available to qualified Idaho businesses over a 5 year period beginning in November 2011. The Idaho Housing and Finance Association will administer the program. The funds will be used to boost collateral for qualifying businesses whose assets have lost value in the current economy. For information, contact Katrina Thompson at 208-331-4738 or at katrinat@ihfa.org.

• ID Department of Commerce is offering State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grants to companies in any industry to assist with export market development and promotion activities. The deadline to apply is February 1. For information, see http://commerce.idaho.gov/international/-state-trade-and-export-promotion-step-grant/

• D.L. Evans Bank received nearly $30 million through the U.S. Department of the Treasury to increase lending to small businesses in Idaho. The bank is aggressively seeking qualified small businesses that may need financial assistance. For information, contact your local D.L. Evans Bank.
  

• Idaho State Tax Commission offers free monthly Right Track business classes. The classes help new business owners learn:

  • How to fill out withholding and sales tax returns correctly the first time
  • How to keep accurate records with minimum effort
  • When sales tax exemptions are applicable

  To find a class, visit http://tax.idaho.gov/searchentry.cfm?stype=classev
  

• The SBA’s Export Business Planner is a free, customizable tool for small business owners who are exploring exporting. Using the planner, you can work through the critical processes of export readiness and planning via a ready-made, easily accessible document that can be updated and referenced time and again as your export business grows. If you have a successful product or service you may be able to increase sales and profit by exporting.

  Download the Export Business Planner (PDF) here. Additional information is available on the Exporting & Importing section of the SBA.gov website.
  
  

• Contracting Program for Small Woman-owned businesses - On February 1st the SBA announced a new program designed for women business owners. The new Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program will be fully implemented over the next several months, with the first contracts expected to be awarded by the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. For information, visit www.sba.gov/content/sba-announces-contracting-program-women-owned-small-businesses and http://www.sba.gov/content/contracting-opportunities-women-owned-small-businesses.
  
  

• Energy Efficiency Audits - The Idaho Small Business Development Center at Boise State University has been awarded a Small Business Sustainability Initiative grant to conduct energy efficiency audits for small businesses in southwestern and northern Idaho. For information or to schedule an audit, visit http://www.idahosbdc.org/DocumentMaster.aspx?doc=1646 or call 208-426-3875.