Latest news with #SmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Kane Sheriff's Office center that helps people impacted by criminal legal system start businesses launches independently
The Kane County Sheriff's Office's Entrepreneurship Center, which aims to help individuals impacted by the criminal legal system start businesses, is launching as an independent initiative of the sheriff's office, according to a news release from the office. Previously, the Honorable William H. Hall Entrepreneurship Center had been a Small Business Development Center satellite, the release said, and was supported by the Illinois Small Business Development Center, U.S. Small Business Administration and Waubonsee Community College. The transition to an independent center was a result of funding changes, the release said. Regarding Waubonsee's involvement with the center going forward, a spokesperson from the community college said in an emailed statement to The Beacon-News that 'the initiative grew larger than the budget provided,' and that the satellite 'was just the beginning of the plan to scale.' Waubonsee will be continuing its own SBDC-related work, the spokesperson said. A spokesperson from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which administers Small Business Development Center funding on behalf of the state, confirmed that the department will not be directly involved with the entrepreneurship center in Kane County going forward. The county's entrepreneurship center will now be funded through detainee commissary funds, like other programs the sheriff's office runs, and through the office's corrections budget, according to Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain. The center's programming is meant to help individuals who are 'often excluded from traditional entrepreneurship programs,' the release said. The Kane County Small Business Development Center opened last September, and was meant to help current and former detainees start businesses, according to the county. It evolved from a program that has given detainees the chance to participate in a business plan and pitch competition. Per the county, two former detainees have since launched a catering company and a trucking business. The sheriff's office also announced recently that the entrepreneurship center would be hosting a free 'Start Your Business' program for justice-involved individuals in Kane County and surrounding areas, including formerly incarcerated individuals and people on probation or parole, according to the news release. Participants will receive instruction on topics like business planning, marketing, financial management and accessing capital, with classes held remotely and in person. The goal of these efforts is to reduce recidivism, said Judy Dawson, the Sheriff's Office's director of diversion and reentry programs. She noted that individuals who start businesses as a result of this programming can create more jobs for other people who have been incarcerated, forming a sort of 'employment ecosystem.' Those entrepreneurs can also be mentors to individuals who have been affected by the criminal legal system, because they've had similar experiences. Individuals interested in the class can contact the Sheriff's Office Small Business Development Center coordinator Rudy Gonzalez at gonzalezrudy@ or 331-335-0300.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day brings remembrances of those who served and those who gave all
In a cemetery unknown to many, five veterans buried there were remembered Friday. While acknowledging Memorial Day is held to remember those who gave their lives in the service of their nation, a small group assembled at Colony Hill Cemetery to remember the former military personnel buried there. 'This is our way of saying thank you for everything that they've done,' said Rich Lyles, who organized the small ceremony. Joining him were his daughter Sadé, along with Kenny Heaton and Manzel McGhee of the Small Business Development Center in Abilene. "You know, it's important that we remember our fallen, and this cemetery, you know, I had no idea it was here," said McGhee, an Air Force retiree. "This is important. I'm going to pass this on to my fellow veterans and let them know; that way maybe they'll include this cemetery in the future when they do their wreath layings." Located opposite 3420 FM 1750, about halfway between Colony Hill Road and Hardison Lane, the oldest grave in the cemetery appears to be from 1889. The five veterans buried here are William Samuel Beam III, Henry 'Mit' Milford Day, D. McDougald, and Clarke Putnam Orr. Some died as early as 1914 while others were as recent as 2015. Monday at 11 a.m. will see a larger Memorial Day ceremony at Abilene's Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 7457 W. Lake Road. Parking usually extends onto the road outside the cemetery so an early arrival is recommended. The observance will be hosted by the Dyess Chiefs Group and will feature the Abilene Community Band, West Texas Patriot Guard Riders, the Dyess Air Force Base Honor Guard, and Big Country One flyover. This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Memorial Day remembers those who served and those who gave all
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day brings remembrances of those who served and those who gave all
In a cemetery unknown to many, five veterans buried there were remembered Friday. While acknowledging Memorial Day is held to remember those who gave their lives in the service of their nation, a small group assembled at Colony Hill Cemetery to remember the former military personnel buried there. 'This is our way of saying thank you for everything that they've done,' said Rich Lyles, who organized the small ceremony. Joining him were his daughter Sadé, along with Kenny Heaton and Manzel McGhee of the Small Business Development Center in Abilene. "You know, it's important that we remember our fallen, and this cemetery, you know, I had no idea it was here," said McGhee, an Air Force retiree. "This is important. I'm going to pass this on to my fellow veterans and let them know; that way maybe they'll include this cemetery in the future when they do their wreath layings." Located opposite 3420 FM 1750, about halfway between Colony Hill Road and Hardison Lane, the oldest grave in the cemetery appears to be from 1889. The five veterans buried here are William Samuel Beam III, Henry 'Mit' Milford Day, D. McDougald, and Clarke Putnam Orr. Some died as early as 1914 while others were as recent as 2015. Monday at 11 a.m. will see a larger Memorial Day ceremony at Abilene's Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 7457 W. Lake Road. Parking usually extends onto the road outside the cemetery so an early arrival is recommended. The observance will be hosted by the Dyess Chiefs Group and will feature the Abilene Community Band, West Texas Patriot Guard Riders, the Dyess Air Force Base Honor Guard, and Big Country One flyover. This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Memorial Day remembers those who served and those who gave all
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Tariffs And Small Business: Insights From Industry Experts
GETTY Trump's new tariffs—some as high as 145%—are hitting small businesses the hardest and threatening their ability to survive. What began as a geopolitical strategy has now become a direct threat to the livelihood of small business owners. Without meaningful relief, the backbone of American entrepreneurship could suffer the most severe consequences. Small businesses typically operate lean, unlike large corporations with deep pockets, supply chain redundancy, and legal teams to handle disruptions. Smaller companies rely on speed and agility to compete — often launching innovations far faster than larger companies burdened with lengthy internal approval processes. However, that agility becomes irrelevant for smaller brands when tariffs disrupt access to affordable materials. Large corporations have the advantage of buying power. They can negotiate better terms, absorb sudden cost increases, and pivot sourcing strategies quickly—often with multiple backup suppliers already in place. In contrast, small consumer packaged goods (CPG), wellness, home goods, fashion, accessories brands, and even smaller construction companies sourcing materials from China typically rely on long-standing relationships with manufacturers. These connections—often built through trade shows, industry networking, and personal referrals—offer access to lower minimum order quantities (MOQs), favorable terms, and more competitive pricing. These trusted partnerships make it possible for small businesses to operate and grow. Shifting away from long-standing partnerships isn't simple. For many small businesses, U.S. manufacturing cannot compete with China's infrastructure, speed, or cost-efficiency. In industries that rely on materials like plastic, glass, paper, and aluminum, it's common for U.S. companies to fulfill small domestic orders. However, once businesses hit certain order thresholds, production often shifts overseas—out of financial necessity and because many domestic manufacturers moved offshore decades ago. Even when companies try to source locally, scaling typically forces them abroad, making it nearly impossible for many small businesses to manufacture packaging and materials entirely within the United States. "In theory, bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. sounds great—but we don't have the infrastructure to support it. Small businesses will suffer the most, while larger industries like electronics are already receiving tariff exemptions," says Sebastian De Vivo, a financial advisor at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Many small businesses relying on China are scrambling to find suppliers in countries with comparable pricing and production capabilities. But for small businesses, replacing a manufacturer isn't easy. It often means starting from scratch—vetting new factories, negotiating pricing, investing in new tooling and molds, waiting weeks or months for samples, and navigating unfamiliar regulations, taxes, and import processes. For small businesses, this disruption can delay product launches by quarters—or even years—costing tens of thousands or more. Most lack the team, capital, or infrastructure needed to survive such a transition. California Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing for an exemption for California-made products from the latest round of tariffs. According to a recent statement from his office, "Retaliatory tariffs will also have an outsized impact on California businesses, particularly its more than 60,000 small business exporters. Mexico, Canada, and China are California's top three export destinations, accounting for nearly $67 billion in exports—over one-third of the state's $183 billion in total exported goods in 2024." The statement also highlighted that retaliatory tariffs are hitting farmers and ranchers especially hard at a time when the U.S. agricultural economy is already struggling—further underscoring the need for mitigation efforts and expanded access to foreign markets. "For many small and mid-sized businesses that rely on imports from China, these tariffs are existential," says Los Angeles-based business attorney David Schnider. 'Most are holding off on placing orders, hoping the situation improves. Ports are slowing, and shipments from China are rapidly declining. If the tariffs aren't lifted in the coming weeks, retailers will face supply shortages and rising prices during the holiday season. Many of the small businesses I work with are seriously considering shutting down entirely.' Schnider also predicts widespread sales losses and layoffs. Since most businesses cannot quickly reshore production, they have little choice but to raise prices or absorb devastating losses. The last major economic blow to small businesses came during the COVID-19 pandemic when financial assistance was available to help eligible companies survive. Today's landscape is different. Businesses facing sudden cost increases on ingredients, packaging, and finished products are forced to pivot quickly—navigating unfamiliar territory with little support or relief. As Allison Kent-Gunn Garibay, Cosmetic Packaging Sales Director, explains: "Some brands are being forced to scale back on costly initiatives like innovation and sustainability to stay afloat. It's a harsh reality—especially for companies that are among the most values-driven and sustainability-focused in the industry." Still, Garibay remains optimistic. She's witnessed resilience firsthand, with many of the brands she supports successfully pivoting to manufacturing partners across Mexico, Vietnam, Canada, India, and Colombia—along with select domestic options—helping stabilize costs and build more localized, agile supply chains. "It's not an easy transition," she says, "but for those willing to rethink their sourcing strategies, there's a path through the turbulence."
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Harrison County Chamber of Commerce hosts Small Business Entrepreneur Coaching Session
SALEM, (WBOY) — The Harrison County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Small Business Entrepreneur Coaching Session today at Salem University where local people starting up a new business could come in and get some advice from the Small Business Development Center. Business coaches from the development center met one-on-one with small business owners where they bounced ideas around about their plans, marketing ideas and solving issues around the businesses. 'Majority of it has been just business plans – making sure that people are fully prepared for the market that they have ahead,' Coach Todd Crump from the Small Business Development Center said. 'Talked to someone extensively about insurance, making sure that they were prepared and had adequate coverage for the business that they are in.' FSU Honors Program students stuck in London set to return home this week 12 News watched Crump meet with Wild and Free Pet Care – a boarding and daycare center for pets. Owner Tiffany Criss said they've been open for about six months and came to the coaching session to get some ideas for marketing. If you missed Monday's session the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce will also be hosting coaching sessions on May 21 at the Pierpont Community and Technical College Gaston Caperton Center in downtown Clarksburg as well as on July 17 at the Bridgeport Conference Center. The Chamber is also hosting a business pitch competition called 'The Tank' with applications due Aug. 1. Anyone in north central West Virginia is welcome to participate in either activity. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
