A core service of the Aurora Business Development Center is the annual slate of business seminars. Taking one or more Aurora business seminars is the best way, at no or low cost, to get a wealth of information in three-hour sessions - - from business planning to marketing strategies, from bookkeeping to sales tax, from government contracts to the food business. Taking an informative class prior to making an appointment with a counselor will make the one-on-one time more productive and focused.
Upcoming Aurora business seminars:
Basics of Starting Your Business
Wed., July 7th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, FREE
Excellent information to get your business underway - - the proper way!
Offered again: Wed., Aug. 4th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Writing a Business & Financial Plan
Tues., July 13th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, $25/person
Develop the elements of a good business plan, including your financial strategy. Several helpful resources and spreadsheets.
Offered again: Thurs., Aug. 5th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
For classes through the end of the year, please see the complete on-line seminar schedule.
Planning ahead
QuickBooks, Parts I & II
Tues., Aug. 3rd & 10th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
$45/person - a two-session seminar (3 hrs. each)
Good bookkeeping practices are essential to the success of your business, and the tools of a computerized system are a must. Knowledge of Windows operating system required.
Offered again: Tues., Sept. 14th & 21st, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Sales & Use Tax 101
Thurs., Aug. 12th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, FREE
Avoid the common sales and use tax mistakes that plague small businesses. Presented by tax professionals from the Colorado Dept. of Revenue and the City of Aurora.
Plan Your Web Site
Tues., Aug. 17th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, $25/person
Before developing a web site, consider the development stages, best practices, internet demographics and optimizing your business' on-line presence.
Smart Marketing
Wed., Aug. 18th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, $25/person
Need more customers and sales? Let us help you with your marketing plan!
Starting a Restaurant
Thurs., Aug. 19th, 9:00 AM -12:00 PM, $25/person
Opening a profitable restaurant is not
quite as easy as
baking a pie! But there
is a
step-by-step
process to help the process go smoothly.
Health Care Reform and How It Will Affect Your Business
NEW OCTOBER DATE: Thurs., Oct. 7th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, FREE
Topics: New Federal Hire Act; employer tools for HR and small business owners; timelines for reform;
affordable options for benefits - - a cost-containment model; and more. Various speakers. Read more...
Habla español?
GRATIS - Fundamentos de un negocio
con Doña Inéz de ¡Arriba Mi Negocio!
jueves, 23 de septiembre, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, gratis
QuickBooks para Principiantes, Parte I y II
martes, 12 y 19 de octubre, 9AM - 12PM, $45/persona
Favor de llame Santos Blan, (303) 326-8693, para más informes.
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2010 Aurora Business Recognition Awards
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The City of Aurora is seeking nominations for its 2010 Business Recognition Awards Program. The city will honor both small and large outstanding businesses. Nominees must be licensed to operate within both Aurora and the State of Colorado and will be evaluated based on several factors including:
1) Longevity
2) Innovation
3) Exemplary customer service delivery
4) Community involvement
Major companies can also be nominated for a significant capital investment and/or annual revenues.
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New Media Makes Home-Based Business Economical |
| Home-based businesses are much older than America herself. The concept of working from home just keeps growing--along with technology. Author Keith DuBay makes his case for saving fossil fuel... Read more... |
For more on how technology continues to transform business practices, go to CoBizMag.com, see the article entitled "The Business Case for Remote Working: It can save money and increase productivity" by Michael Clark |
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Therapeutic Discovery Project |
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the new Therapeutic Discovery Project Program. Under this program , tax credits or grants will be available for projects that have the potential to produce cost-saving therapies, create U.S. jobs, and increase U.S. competitiveness. The credit or grant will cover up to 50 percent of the cost of qualifying biomedical research. Credits and grants are available for investments made in 2009 and 2010. Questions and answers on this program can be found on the Affordable Care Act page of the IRS. Click on the links for the instructions and application form, Form 8942, for this program.
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City of Aurora Energy Rebates |
Rebates are available to Aurora property owners who make energy efficiency improvements or install solar electric or solar hot water heating systems. All rebates are available through April 2011 or until funds are exhausted. This program is made possible by energy stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Read more about the various rebates, the Recharge Colorado campaign and related upcoming events at the city of Aurora. |
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First of its kind: a One-Day Business Tax Symposium |
Are you a business owner in Colorado, an out-of-state business selling/delivering tangible property to purchasers located in Colorado, or are you just interested in learning more about sales/use tax laws in Colorado? Do you prepare sales and/or use tax returns for business owners in Colorado? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you won’t want to miss a one-day tax symposium on September 30th presented by the Colorado Dept. of Revenue. Read more...
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Hiring Incentives |
Who doesn't want to save money these days - - any day? Under the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, enacted March 18, 2010, two new tax benefits are available to employers who hire certain previously unemployed workers (“qualified employees”).
The first, referred to as the payroll tax exemption, provides employers with an exemption from the employer’s 6.2 percent share of social security tax on wages paid to qualifying employees, effective for wages paid from March 19, 2010 through December 31, 2010.
In addition, for each qualified employee retained for at least 52 consecutive weeks, businesses will also be eligible for a general business tax credit, referred to as the new hire retention credit, of 6.2 percent of wages paid to the qualified employee over the 52-week period, up to a maximum credit of $1,000.
Refer to Form W-11 for the employee's affidavit and the revised Form 941 for 2010, the business tax credit on wages paid. The IRS web site has more information, Businesses with Employees. |
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| Speaking of hiring employees, author Sarah Thoemke gives "seven reasons why human resources management should sit at the strategic table". A company's HR expert keeps the focus on people - - employers' most valuable asset. Read more... |
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10 Tips for Small Businesses - - Make that 110 Tips! |
| It's amazing how easy it is to find business information that can help make your business more successful - - Read Ten Tips... @ Yahoo! Small Business. One tip leads to another, and Aurora Business Development has professionals on hand to help lead the way toward business success. Why not consult with a Small Business Specialist today, at no charge, and get more tips to benefit your small business? Call to schedule your appointment today, (303) 326-8690. |
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