SEDCorp offers small business classes every other month, however, we are extending the QuickBooks two-class series to May 24, 2012.  The morning class (9am-12pm) covers Setup and the afternoon class (1pm-4pm) covers Data Entry.  Don't miss out!  The next regular class cycle starts in June.  Please see the attached class listing if you are interested in taking a class geared towards small business in June 2012.  Back by popular demand is Grantwriting 101 - to be held in Placerville for the affordable price of $35.00.  Learn the crucial elements to grant writing! 

The "Gold Country" Broadband Consortium (GCBC) held its kick-off meeting in March with great success.  Aimed at increasing digital access and use in Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Sierra and eastern Alpine counties, the workshop broke out into groups to discuss areas that have Internet service and areas that are still lacking.  We are compiling our notes from the meeting and will be scheduling community meetings in the near future.
Additional information and announcements will be posted on the Gold Country Broadband Consortium Blog: http://goldcountryconsortium.wordpress.com/ Please book mark this blog as the go-to-place for the latest GCBC updates and maps.

The GCBC is one of 14 regional consortia in the State funded by the California Advanced Services Fund Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia grant program.  The Consortium will enable us to leverage regional, state and national resources as an investment in broadband access.

Supporting the Region's Small Businesses

SEDCorp is pleased to announce the generous donation of $45,000 made by Wells Fargo Bank through SEDCorp’s companion non-profit, Economic Partners In Change (EPIC), on December 7, 2011. Donald Terry, Community Development Officer for the Northern California Region, presented the check to Mike Holmes, SEDCorp’s Chairman, at the December Board of Directors meeting in Auburn.

“Wells Fargo has been a great partner to SEDCorp,” said Mike, “they really fulfill their role in supporting regional economic development.” SEDCorp CEO, Brent Smith, added, “This generous grant from Wells Fargo adds to our financial strength and our ability to support the region’s small businesses by providing more training for business owners and continuing to make direct small business loans.”

Donald Terry shared that “it’s been great to provide a little support to SEDCorp over the last couple of years in their Business Boot Camps and their lending program. We look forward to a continuing partnership.”

Mike Holmes, Brent Smith, Donald Terry and Patty Hall (SEDCorp Sec/Treasurer)

View SEDCorp's CEO, Brent Smith, discussing strategies on accessing capital for businesses in the Sierra Nevada at the Sierra Business Council's Sierra Innovation Summit last summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYWIap_FiTA&feature=youtu.be

The Sierra Economic Development Corporation (SEDCorp) Board is seeking to fill three private sector seats:  

1 representative from El Dorado County

2 representatives from Nevada County

Candidates must be knowledgeable of the problems and issues existing in their areas and help define regional goals to generate private and public investment to develop employment opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed.  For more information, please contact SEDCorp at 530-823-4703.

NEW! Loans are available from $1,000 - $5,000 with NO COLLATERAL required. Well qualified borrowers can get fast approval for a one year loan. Call Kelley or Colleen to get pre-qualified for this FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY!! (530)-823-4703.

Unsecured Loan Program

The Sierra Economic Development Corporation (SEDCorp), a 41-year-old regional non-profit, continues to bring leadership and expertise to Placer County in innovative ways. SEDCorp has created a companion public benefit non-profit called Economic Partners in Change – “EPIC” – in recognition of the looming problem of having a large number of “baby-boom generation” business leaders leaving the work force over the next ten years and the question of where an adequate number of tomorrow’s business leaders will be found.

The Small Business of the Year Award for 2011 has gone to The Coffee Pot Ranch in Sheridan.  Each year, in honor of Small Business Week, the Sierra Economic Development Corporation  (SEDCorp) selects a small business for the award.  Sheridan resident and business owner, Bob Sorensen was presented with the award on May 2, 2011 at the Placer Grown annual meeting in Loomis.  Bob and Shirley, the owners of the The Coffee Pot Ranch  were one of several nominees considered for the award.  Businesses were evaluated on such criteria as economic impact, increase in sales, product line expansion, penetration into new markets,  job growth, upgrading management capabilities,  participation in trainings and workshops, community involvement and dedication to the community that the business serves.

The Sierra Economic Development Corporation (SEDCorp) celebrated its 40th anniversary last week as a non-profit organization devoted to supporting the economic development of the rural communities north and east of Sacramento.    Celebrated at The Ridge in Auburn, SEDCorp hosted a two-hour celebration featuring Dianne Church, Economic Development Representative, U.S. Department of Commerce E.D.A., Chuck Clendenin, Business & Cooperative Program Director, U.S.D.A. Rural Development and Jim O’Neal, District Director, U.S.