Want to start or grow a business?

NEOEDD offers a variety of classes, workshops, technical and financial assistance.

We also refer businesses for free and confidential business coaching.

Tell us what you need and we'll try to find it.

CLASSES and WORKSHOPS

Foundations for Business Success - Register Now for Spring 2010 Course

Strengthen your business! Develop a professional business plan. You can create a plan in seven weeks with the Foundations business planning course offered by the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District.  The seven session class addresses development of a mission statement, start-up and overhead costs, profit-goal setting, cash flow, marketing, licensing and organizational structure. 

As a participant, you will receive detailed, constructive feedback as you go through the business plan process, step by step. Participants also learn about personal financial management and the demands of being an entrepreneur. The class is taught by Lisa Dawson, NEOEDD Executive Director.  Participants have consistently given excellent evaluations for the course.

“This class is a must for new entrepreneurs or anyone who needs a refresher on good business practices. Lisa is a very competent facilitator who has a rare talent for drawing on participants’ strengths, which makes the class unique and extremely helpful."

                                Gwen Trice, Owner, Diversity Avenue

"I found the course to be very inspiring and informative with a lot of synergy and networking between the participants."

                                 Dan Austin, Owner, Austin Tool and Machine

Classes will be offered in Baker City, La Grande and Enterprise.  The weekly sessions will be held from 6pm to 9pm.

Spring 2010 Schedule

Baker City class - Monday evenings from March 29 - May 10

La Grande class- Tuesday evenings from March 30 - May 11

Enterprise class - Wednesday evenings from March 31 - May 12

Cost for the seven sessions is $100.  Participants who meet income guidelines are eligible for a full scholarship.

To register or for more information, contact Pam Frolander at 541-426-3598 or 800-645-9454 or pfrolander@neoedd.org

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

NEOEDD is a good place to begin asking questions about issues that your business may be facing. NEOEDD is ready to assist to any business seeking to start-up, expand or relocate in Baker, Union or Wallowa counties. We can give feedback on your business concept, review your business plan, and help you address business feasibility.

We can discuss business management and succession, import/export assistance, industry marketing and networking, financial assistance, business planning, infrastructure needs, relocation, workforce training, and environmental issues and assessment.

If we can't meet your needs, we can provide referrals to assistance at the regional, state and federal level.

Contact us at 541-426-3598 or 800-645-9454 or email lisadawson@neoedd.org to discuss your business needs.

BUSINESS LOANS

NEOEDD provides business financing through several loan programs. Our revolving loan program provides loans up to $100,000. We also provide access to the Northeast Oregon Business Development loan program that can provide loans up to $150,000. We can also help you determine which Oregon state loan program best fits your project.

NEOEDD also provides assistance with applications to the Employer Workforce Training Fund grants.         

For more information on loan and grant programs, select a link below:

BUSINESS FACILITATION - BUSINESS COACHING PROGRAMS

In Baker and Wallowa counties, if you have an idea for a new business, but don’t know how to put all the pieces together a business coaching service is available to provide one-on-one assistance. This service will also assist any existing business that needs help.

In Baker County, the program is Baker Enterprise Growth Initiative (BEGIN). In Wallowa County, the program is Wallowa County Business Facilitation (WCBF). Both programs follow the a bottom-up model of entrepreneurial support developed by Ernesto Sirolli.

A professional business facilitator and a volunteer local board help each business owner build on their strengths and find ways to cover their weaker areas of business operation. The facilitator meets with the business owner at their convenience to provide confidential, on-demand business coaching services free-of charge for as long as the business desires.

The facilitator does not make decisions for the entrepreneur, but helps the entrepreneur access information needed to decide if a business idea is viable and how to move forward or strengthen an existing business.