Three business workshops offered by SBA on Sept. 16

The Alaska Small Business Development Center offers three different workshops Sept. 16 at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

• A presentation on the SBA HUBZone program will be from 10 a.m to noon. Free. Register online by Sept. 6.

This workshop will help businesses qualify for the HUBZone certification program.  HUBZone is a historically under-used business zone that gives small businesses the opportunity to apply for a preference in seeking federal contracts. These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone certification in part by employing staff who live in a HUBZone and by maintaining a principal office located in a HUBZone.  

The two-hour seminar is designed to introduce participants to the program, help determine whether a business is eligible for the program, and support a business’s participation in the program.

Qualified firms that submit an application within 48 hours after attending the workshop will benefit from an expedited review of the applicant’s request for certification.

• A presentation on the SBA 8(A) program will be from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Free. Register online by Sept. 6.

Following the HubZone workshop, Sam Dickey, Alaska District director for the SBA, will then provide information on the SBA 8(a) program which is a logical, systematic approach to federal market access and enterprise growth to businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The program promotes business development over a nine-year period.  

• A presentation on Alaska Economic Development Loan Programs will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Register online by Sept. 6.

Representatives from the Alaska Division of Economic Development will present information on state loan programs including Small Business Economic Development, Rural Development Initiative Fund, Alaska Capstone Avionics, Commercial Fishing, Mariculture, Commercial Charter Fisheries, Community Quota Entity, Alaska Microloan, and Alternative Energy Conservation Fund.  

Participants can learn how their business can benefit from these state loan programs including eligible uses of the funds, eligible areas of lending and other important features of the loan programs.  

To register for all the Sept. 16 programs, go to http://aksbdc.ecenterdirect.com, click “Kenai Peninsula,” then click “Workshops” and “Sign Me Up” and then enter your information.

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