East Idaho has several small business resources

September 20, 2011
By John Hart - Small Business Development Center
This past week I attended a business seminar organized by Kim Boyack of the Internal Revenue Service. The meeting drew together agencies and companies involved in small business development in Eastern Idaho. The purpose was to sit face-to-face with others   who are engaged in helping small businesses for networking and knowledge sharing.
   What surprised me the most is how well the various organizations fit together in filling various development needs of small businesses. These resources should be looked at by all in small business. If you are not taking advantage of help in starting and running your business, you are missing a great opportunity.  
   The SBDC is one of these resources. I am the director for the Pocatello and surrounding region. We offer no-cost business consulting directly to small businesses on topics such as business planning, marketing, operations, and financials. We focus on for profit business development, startups, and businesses that are trying to grow and expand.
   The SBDC also offers low cost business trainings and seminars. Usually we operate on a small scale, and then occasionally on larger scale. We are currently organizing the Working Women’s Business Symposium on Oct. 6th that will be held at the Clarion Inn. This will be a large, all-day training event with expert presenters and topics specifically for women in business. We also organize smaller classes on business start-up, marketing, internet strategies, and bookkeeping.  
   The Eastern Idaho Development Corporation is another local development organization. The EIDC partners with local banks to facilitate business loans that are backed by the Small Business Administration. Samantha Damron is the director at EIDC and knows the local bankers and funders that specialize in small business loans. She can be reached at 234-7541.  
   Another local development agency is Bannock Development. This economic development resource has a key focus on attracting new business to the region, retention of local businesses, and coordinating state and local incentives for businesses. Bannock Development is a main player in the economic development occurring throughout the region. Gynii Gilliam is the director and can be reached at 233-3500.
   Partners for Prosperity is another nonprofit organization that assists with business development in Eastern Idaho. This organization helps with computer training, workforce and business skills development, and cultivating partnerships. They offer help to minorities and those needing a foundation of business skills or financial education. Sonia Martinez is the director and can be reached at 785-0059.  
   The final agencies I will mention in the column today are the Idaho Departments of Commerce and Labor. These two government agencies have put together excellent online resources to help with starting a business in Idaho and hiring employees. The Department of Commerce has a publication that has become indispensable to helping new startups and small businesses navigate the technicalities and requirements of setting up a business. It is called “Starting a Business in Idaho” and is available to download online at www. commerce.idaho.gov.
   Sitting at a joint table with these business development agencies and others was eye opening for me. I was inspired by the collective resources that are available to help small businesses of all types.
   Take advantage of these and make an effort to contact one or all of the groups here. For additional help, you can reach the SBDC at 208-244-8521 or online at  www.idahosbdc.org  .