Aurora Business Development offers its core services at no or low cost, including informative seminars and one-on-one counseling by appointment on a variety of business topics. Taking a few seminars is the best way to get a wealth of information in each three-hour session. This helps to maximize your time with a Small Business Specialist.

Upcoming Aurora business seminars:

* see new seminar fee structure for 2011

Basics of Starting Your Business
Excellent information to get your business underway - - the proper way!
Tues., Jan. 4th, 9:00 - 11:00 AM, FREE

Plan Your Web Site
Web site development strategies will serve to generate traffic to your site.
Wed., Jan. 5th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM $*

Legal Rules of Business -- at an excellent value!
A business attorney will provide in layman’s terms an overview of legal issues common to businesses.
Thurs., Jan. 6th, 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM $*

Marketing on a Shoestring
No/low-cost practical and effective marketing tactics that have been proven successful across many industries worldwide! 
Tues., Jan. 11th, 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM $*

Financing Your Business
Learn how successful borrowers pick the right financing options and make their proposals attractive to funding sources.
Wed., Jan. 12th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, FREE

Starting a Restaurant
Opening a profitable restaurant requires a game plan, meeting food establishment regulations and realistic financial projections.
Thurs., Jan. 13th, 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM $*

QuickBooks Parts I and II
QuickBooks is an easy-to-use tool that can simplify your business bookkeeping system.
Tues., Jan. 18th & 25th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM $*
Familiarity with a computer keyboard and Windows operating system required.
* Registration very limited; payment must be received in advance of the first class. See below. *

Public & Private Contracts 101
Procurement specialists from Buckley AFB, the SBA, CH2M Hill, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and the City of Aurora discuss the ins and outs of government and corporate contracting/sub-contracting, including obtaining 8(a) certifications.
Wed., Jan. 19th, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, FREE

Basics of Starting Your Business
Excellent information to get your business underway - - the proper way!
Wed., Jan. 26th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, FREE

¿Habla español?  Favor de llame Santos Blan,
          (303) 326-8693, para más informes.

The Aurora Business Development Center offers free one-on-one counseling, low-cost seminars, financing programs and technical assistance for entrepreneurs and existing small business owners. The Aurora BDC is a division of the Planning & Development Services Department.  Learn more about the Aurora BDC services:

Aurora Municipal Center
Planning & Development Services Dept.
15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., #2300
Aurora, CO  80012
(303) 326-8690   |   Fax: (303) 739-7136
 info@aurorabdc.com |  www.aurorabdc.com

Immediate past City Manager, Ron Miller, inaugurated the Aurora Business Recognition Awards in 2005 with the intent of recognizing and celebrating outstanding local businesses that help Aurora's community thrive. On behalf of the Business Advisory Board and local businesses, the awards committee recognized Mr. Miller on November 17th for his vision and the tremendous support he has shown to the business community over the years.

Interim City Manager, Nancy Freed, stated, "We are fortunate to have so many great businesses in Aurora – but we have something even better – businesses that care enough about our community to get involved, and to give back...  The importance of this type of leadership cannot be overstated.  It helps create the synergy and partnerships that make this already vibrant city even better.."

Below are links to the narratives, videos and photos for the 2010 Aurora Business award winners:

Athenian Restaurant -- treating guests to a slice of Greece here in Aurora. Read more...

Bent Fork American Grill -- success is built upon a level of service and hospitality that delivers an exceptional guest experience...  Read more...

Dry Dock Brewing Company -- Aurora’s only micro-brewery, patrons flock to the bar to taste new, award-winning and frequently changing brews...  Read more...

Havana Auto Parts -- well known and well respected, guaranteeing their customers the right part … right now...  Read more...

Tynan’s Nissan / VW -- Quality products, exceptional service and a dedication to the community have made Tynan a premier business On Havana...  Read more...

Downtown Aurora Visual Arts -- Aurora Civic Excellence Award
Arts education provides a fertile ground for creative expression and an increased sense of connection to the community.  Artwork for the celebration was created by students from DAVA's programs...  Read more...

PHOTOS and VIDEOS of the 2010 Aurora Business Recognition Awards

The city's business energy rebate cap is $3,000 for Aurora business owners who make energy efficiency and conservation upgrades to their buildings. The city is layering these rebates on existing Xcel Energy rebates. Call for more information, (303) 739-7483.

NOTE: The Residential rebate program ends December 31, 2010.

The city of Aurora is now offering a faster, more convenient way to get your general business license.  Starting November 1, you can apply online through the city of Aurora web site at www.auroragov.org. This new process (click on "e-services") saves time, eliminates mailing expenses, and is convenient and environmentally-friendly.

"During economic turmoil as qualified workers get laid off, they don’t sit around; they start businesses..."  If you are giving consideration to “hanging up a shingle”, then this article by Mira Fine is an excellent read...

2011 Mileage Rates

The IRS announces the 2011 Standard Mileage Rates... Be sure to read about a few restrictions, also.

A recent study has shown that some 25 percent of U.S. page views belong to Facebook. According to Experian Hitwise, U.S. internet users were recorded to view Facebook more than any other site in the week finishing November 13th 2010.  In second and third place were YouTube and Google respectively. Facebook's share has grown by 60 percent from the same week last year, which is representative of its rapid expansion.  Meanwhile, the social networking site hosted some one in ten page visits during that week, which is more than search engine Google.  Writing in an article for ClickZ last month, Jonathan Shapiro of MediaWhizz suggests Facebook and Google are fast becoming competitors, something which may have been advanced by the former's partnership with Bing to bring a social facet to standard search.
 --Source:  DirectNews