Do You Need Business Assistance?
New Funds Available to Help
Through a second grant from the Massachusetts Department of Business and Technology the Quaboag Valley
CDC is providing additional business technical assistance
and training throughout the Quaboag Valley.
In addition to one-on-one technical assistance;
business-planning courses, computer training, and seminars are scheduled.
Bookkeeping, accounting, legal issues, marketing, and general business planning
are just a few of the areas of possible assistance. One of the first seminars
“Planning for Business Success” will take place the evening of January 17th
in Ware and the morning of January 26th in Palmer. This seminar is
open to existing small businesses and soon-to-be entrepreneurs. A
NxLeveL Business Planning course is also set to begin
Tuesday evenings on February 12th. Space is limited; contact the
QVCDC for details to register.
QVCDC Consultants will also be scheduled in Spencer &
Belchertown to meet with existing or potential business owners with an aim to
foster the business’ growth and development. “The goal will be to encourage
economic development in our regions small business community,” says CDC
Director, Susan Rutherford. “Through the last grant thirteen jobs were created
close to seventy businesses were consulted.”
Individual businesses that know they need extra help should
call and make an appointment (413-967-3001) or complete our online application form
or download a printed version here.
The only limitation is that the business must have 20 or fewer employees.
The grant will
last through June, 2008.
Through its partner organization, the Quaboag Valley Business Assistance Corp., the CDC offers business
technical assistance in a variety of forms. There is no cost for these services, unless indicated otherwise.
*What is a "Microenterprise"?
According to our funding sources, a microenterprise is a business with five or
fewer employees, including the owners. 51% of the owners must qualify as income-eligible.
(In Palmer, a family of four with a total household income of $48,250 or less is
income-eligible)
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1. Any business operating within the service region will
be granted up to two (2) hours of TA,
regardless of status.
TA typically involves; but is not limited to:
- Referral and resource information
- Feedback on the completeness of the business idea and/or plan
- Assistance in completing forms and developing cash flow projections.
- Accounting
- Financial Planning / Management
- Marketing and Promotion
How to access? Call and make an appointment (413-967-3001) or complete
our online application form.
2. Loan applicants, including potential applicants, will be provided additional assistance, as
needed, to prepare an application for loan committee review. How to access? Call and make an
appointment (413-967-3001) or complete our
online pre-application form.
3. Business owners qualifying as Microenterprise* may receive additional TA in order to
advance their business from pre-venture or startup into a full time business activity. How to access?
email us or call the office 413-967-3001.
4. Other small businesses operating within the region may enter into a contract with the CDC
for specific but limited services using the assistance of a CDC consultant. The CDC usually charges
$25/hour on the basis of a goal-oriented contract. Typically such services will be focused on topics such as:
- Reorganization to return to profitability
- Marketing to expand customer base
- Financial recordkeeping organization or reorganization
- Adjusting to market shifts
How to access? email us or call the office 413-967-3001.
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