Chamber hosts first local small business training

Future training opportunities available for small business owners

A banner for the Cordova Chamber of Commerce displayed outside the Cordova Center. (Photo by Cathy Renfeldt/for The Cordova Times)

The Cordova Chamber of Commerce offered its first local small business training through the Alaska Small Business Development Center at the end of November, attracting both veteran entrepreneurs and those wanting to learn in advance how to succeed.

Nineteen people participated in the free class, including some who haven’t started their business yet, said Cathy Renfeldt, executive director of the chamber.

“The biggest things citizens can do to help is to shop local as much as possible,” Renfeldt said. “Support the local business owners around you and it will support Cordova in big ways.”

Training began with open-format networking time where people participated in a live poll from their cell phones.

Questions ranged from “what social media platforms do you use for business?” to “which issues do you feel are significant obstacles for small business growth in Cordova?”

Answers, then projected on a screen in the room, included freight, shipping and fuel cost, affordable adequate housing and office space, and seasonality of jobs, consumers and visitors. Participants selected answers based on multiple choice options gathered from the chamber’s Economic Summit last April. The Economic Summit was a catalyst to the small business development seen this winter.

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Following the networking opportunity, Ian Grant, the Alaska SBDC director of rural program development, took over via live webinar along with a Q&A, said Renfeldt.

“He explained who the SBDC is, how their rural development program works, and what kinds of tools they could offer to businesses for free,” she added.

Grant will be doing an on-site visit in early 2019 to offer free one-on-one confidential business counseling, as well as another free business development training seminar tailored to Cordova, hosted by the chamber.

The training is free, but Renfeldt asks that people sign up and take the pre-event survey, to help the chamber tailor the training. To complete the survey and sign up, visit their office at 404 First St., or complete it online at cordovachamber.com/business-resources.

“I think it’s going to be a huge help for Cordova businesses,” Renfeldt said. “Ian has been working with some businesses for years, checking in monthly or quarterly for progress reports vs. goals and offering other business development support. I’m excited for the chamber to be involved in helping Cordova businesses grow and succeed.”

The chamber also hopes to offer the Economic Summit again as well as a quarterly Women in Business Meet-up and a Business Mentorship Program in the future.

“The chamber’s economic committee also has plans to put forth suggestions for some tax code revision,” Renfeldt added. Those interested in helping with this may contact the Chamber for more information.

“Times are getting tougher for small businesses in a world being taken over by the internet and online sales,” Renfeldt said. “It will take some effort and expertise for these businesses to stay afloat over time. I hope the chamber can have a hand in helping with that.”

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