SBDC

The Turnaround Artist

Jim Pohlad inherited a failing team--the Minnesota Twins--on the verge of disappearing from baseball. What saved it? Thinking like a small business. ...more

Bernanke Urges Banks to Up Small Business Lending

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is urging banks to lend more to small businesses, which employ at least half of American workers....more

Small Businesses, Charities Face More Reporting Rules

New law requires 1099s for goods, not just services, starting in 2012 ...more

7/07/10 - NYS Governor Announces $50 Million Revolving Loan Fund to Support Small Businesses

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the creation of a $50 million Small Business Revolving Loan Fund to provide capital to minority and women-owned enterprises and other entrepreneurs that are having difficulty accessing regular credit markets....more

6/20/2010 -A Business Plan Doubles Your Chances for Success, Says a New Survey

The value of writing a business plan is often debated in the entrepreneurial community....more

7/02/2010 -10 Things Customers Want on a Website

Want to make your business website more effective? Here's what customers are looking for when they visit. ...more

6/22/2010 - Big Changes in the Business Loan Approval Process

Precrisis, banks essentially outsourced the underwriting of small business loans. Now they're doing much more analysis of their own ...more

6/21/2010 - Small Business Shops The Internet

Godfrey Phillips, VP for Research at ACBJ, explains that "... five segments are providing the greatest opportunity for companies pursuing the strengths of the Internet."...more

6/18/2010 - Tactics for Landing Government Contracts

Forging a partnership with an experienced contractor and redesigning a website brought two small businesses work with the federal government ...more

IRS Offers Details on New Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

The Internal Revenue Service today issued new guidance to make it easier for small businesses to determine whether they are eligible for the new health care tax credit under the Affordable Care Act and how large a credit they will receive. ...more

5/19/10 - Lake Champlain Bridge Community Revolving Loan Program

Empire State Development Corporation has funded the Lake Champlain Bridge Closure Revolving Business Loan Program....more

4/27/2010 - Innovation and Small Business Development

Rick Leibowitz writes: "Everyone seems to agree that the future of our economy will be determined by our ability to create jobs for our workforce. Yet where will these jobs come from?"...more

4/6/2010 - U.S. Small Business Administration warns of scams

The U.S. Small Business Administration is warning small-business owners of scams involving firms that offer assistance to apply for loans through SBA programs....more

4/2/2010-Hall Communications offering Marketing Seminar

April 15 in Plattsburgh, Operator of WOKO, WIZN, BUZZ, KOOL 105 AND WJOY offering an opportunity to learn how to get your message out to potential customers....more

3/21/2010 - Increase Your Bottom Line with an Energy Audit

SBDC Energy-Sustainability Program Targets Lower Energy Bills and Improved Energy Performance....more

02/18/2010-Champlain Bridge Business Assistance Center Opens

No-cost services for small-business owners will be available at the new Champlain Bridge Business Assistance Center in Port Henry....more

01/07/2010- North Country Small Business Development Center here to help

The center is holding an open house to spread the word about the free services it provides to businesses in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and Warren counties....more

12/02/09- Business Owners' Holiday Giving Plans

A new survey shows small companies are planning to do more for their customers than their employees this season....more

11/25/09- 2010 Trends: 10 (and 1/2) Trends to Watch

We read the reports. Sifted the data. Nagged insiders until they gave up the goods. Now, here's the result: 10-plus business trends that are thriving even in this economy. ...more

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11/23/09 - Too Small to Fail

Over the past 18 months or so, the phrase "too big to fail" has become nearly as universal as "In God we trust." But what about the flip side--is there such a thing as "too small to fail"?...more

11/17/09 - Small Business Loans: $10 Billion Evaporates

The 22 banks that got the most help from the Treasury's bailout programs cut their small business loan balances by a collective $10.5 billion over the past six months, according to a government report released Monday. ...more

11/11/09- How to Create a Budget

It's not glamorous, but a budget will help manage costs, identify red flags, and achieve profitability ...more

11/09/09- Beyond Eureka

Looking for a great business idea? These five steps will take you from blank slate to booming ...more

11/06/09- Why Now is the Time to Open a Restaurant

Rents are dropping, talented chefs are up for grabs and, most important, smarter diners are looking for value, not glitz. ...more

10/2/09 -Report: NY State Liquor Authority inadequate

Article appeared in Plattsburgh Press Republican....more

9/27/09 - Innovation key to our business success

Article written for Press Republican by Dr. Colin Read....more

7/28/09 - Managing Frustration When Seeking Stimulus Money

Government contracts are cumbersome, but small business owners would be wise to gear up for the learning curve involved in submitting winning bids...more

7/24/09 -Solve Your Cash-Flow Problem to Stay in Business

Bad financial management can be hard to overcome. Adopting an airtight plan to control costs now is the first step to recovery...more

7/16/09 - Health-Care Proposals: The Impact on Small Business

Here's a look how reform proposals from the House and a Senate committee would affect both the self-employed and small business owners....more

7/14/09 - Small Business Faces Big Bite

House Health Bill Penalizes All but Tiniest Employers for Not Providing Insurance ...more

7/6/09 - Before You Refinance a Business Loan

From Businessweek.com. Bad calendar coordination can result in double interest for a day. Your banker can help, but sometimes you'll just be stuck....more

7/1/09 - Business owners cut to the bone

Recent surveys indicate that business owners are still sacrificing staff, benefits, and personal savings to keep their doors open....more

6/30/09 - From Forbes.com How To Value ...

What is your small business worth? You could pay a valuation firm thousands of dollars for a precise answer, or you could follow some rules of thumb and get pretty darn close for free. Like this....more

6/29/09 - Make purchases without cash

In a tough economy, more business owners are conserving cash by bartering for the stuff they need....more

6/12/09 - Small businesses think economy has bottomed

Small business owners are increasingly optimistic about the economy, according to a monthly survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business....more

6/02/09 -Seven deadly sins

From sloppy accounting to poor hiring, here are the business-killing traps that every entrepreneur must avoid....more

6/02/09 - SBA Sees a Lending Shift

A Small Business Administration report on 2008 shows slower growth in small business loans and a rise in the use of small business credit cards ...more

5/22/09 Credit Card Bill Leaves Small Biz Out

Washington's credit card crackdown applies only to personal cards, leaving some small businesses unprotected. A special report by CNNMoney.com...more

5/19/09 'An Explosion' in Women-Owned Companies?

Despite daunting statisitics, resources and opportunities for female entrepreneurs are better now than ever, say experts. ...more

4/17/09 6 Ideas For Changing The World

Do good and make money: That's the goal of these six startups vying for the Social Venture Award and $10,000 in seed money at the Rice Business Plan Competition. ...more

4/15/09 The Biggest Risks To Your Business

And how to minimize them in a bad economy....more

4/15/09 How to Make Acquisitions in a Down Economy

Potential deals are abundant because of the recession, but buyers must be careful to avoid the many possible pitfalls. ...more

4/14/09 How to Hire and Get Hired in a Recession

The founder of Silicon Alley Reporter and Mahalo.com offers advice to employers trying to make the right hire and candidates struggling to land a job. ...more

4/13/09 How to Sell Your Business - Even Now

It may be a tough time to sell, but you can find creative ways to cash out. ...more

4/09/09 The Most Expensive Way To Raise Capital

With credit still locked up, you may want to sell an ownership stake in your company. But understand the cost....more

4/9/09 One Way To Save U.S. Manufacturing Jobs

By farming out some factory work to China and Mexico, Doug Smith helps the U.S. manufacturing sector cling to what's left....more

4/8/09 How To Control Negative Emotions

In tough times, keeping your cool is essential. ...more

4/7/09 Last-Minute Small-Business Tax Tips

We get it, you're busy. But you still have to deal with the tax man. Here's some help....more

4/5/09 Downtown Potential Touted

Business owners remain positive about future....more

4/2/09 If Confirmed, Mills Vows to Reinvigorate the SBA

Advocates and politicians hope presumptive new chief Karen Mills acts quickly to help small business owners and reform the Small Business Administration....more

4/1/09 Getting The Most Out Of Sales And Marketing

Too often these groups are at odds. Here's how to fix that....more

4/1/09 Picking The Best Places To Launch A Biz

ZoomProspector can help entrepreneurs hone in on untapped markets. ...more

3/31/09 A $100,000 Education for Newbie Inventors

Property developers turned inventors Marianne and Rick Kay learned the hard way about turning their nifty prototype into a viable business....more

3/27/09 The Pros of Planting Startups in Smaller Cities

Quality of life and local incentives can lend a competitive advantage to entrepreneurs when they need it most....more

3/25/09 Classy Chassis

Morgan Motor has banked on sleek designs and small production for a century....more

3/23/09 A Savior When Cash Is Tight

Learn the art of bartering. Here are some tips....more

3/24/09 Before You Start a Business, Do an Internship

One inexpensive way to avoid mistakes when you launch your own venture? Intern at a company in the industry you're heading for....more

3/20/09 Easing Access to Credit: Pros and Cons

President Obama recently unveiled plans to spur lending to small businesses. Experts detail the benefits and drawbacks of taking on debt....more

3/20/09 Emergency Biz Loans: What Qualifies

The SBA's forthcoming loan-relief program can't be used to pay down existing SBA loans -- but past borrowers will still be eligible for help with other debts. ...more

3/19/19 Suiting Up The Ranks For Battle

Real entrepreneurs are bulletproof. Now get your lieutenants to believe they are, too. ...more

3/19/09 What Customer Data Should You Keep--And Toss?

Too much personal information on your customers can be a liability. Here's how to pare it back....more

3/16/09 Can Obama Jolt Small Business Lending?

The Administration offers a package of help for small businesses, but the program carries some risks for Uncle Sam....more

3/15/09 Help is coming for small businesses

President Obama will announce details of plan encouraging loans to small businesses. ...more

3/9/09 Motivating your staff: Carrots or sticks?

Expert advice for a pharmacy owner struggling to retrain problem staffers. ...more

3/9/09 Dusting Off The Hard Sell

What entrepreneurs can learn from recession-era campaigns....more

3/9/09 Plattsburgh again among top micropolitan communities for development

Site Selection magazine applauds economic gains. ...more

3/10/09 Who's to Blame When Growth Stalls?

Guilty feelings and finger-pointing won't help. Instead, ensure that trust, consensus, and clarity are reestablished among senior management. ...more

3/9/09 The First Word In Marketing

Spreading a message by word of mouth is all well and good. But how to find that first mouth? ...more

3/6/09 Cutting Your Own Salary Before Cutting Staff

When sales are slow, business owners are the first to feel the pain in their paychecks. ...more

3/4/09 Entrepreneurs' Lesson #1: Do the math

Shoddy accounting in the heady start-up days can imperil a company later on. ...more

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3/3/09 What to Do if Your Startup Is Failing

The founder of Silicon Alley Reporter and Mahalo.com offers advice from the trenches to entrepreneurs in trouble....more

3/3/09 Government Resources for Entrepreneurs

From tax advice to government contracting, the SBA and other agencies as well as advocacy groups are increasing outreach efforts online....more

2/27/09 Making It All About You

Entrepreneurs want control. But too much can strangle a small company....more

2/24/09 Where's The Stimulus For Small Business?

There are a few rays of light in the new bill--but you have to look really hard....more

2/25/09 Why Are You Still Not Banking Online?

There is no good answer. Just do it....more

2/24/09 Web hosting 201: Power options

If you're running an e-commerce site or doing heavy transactional business, you'll want to consider these factors before picking a Web host....more

2/23/09 Startups in a Downturn

Entrepreneurs who helped build their startups into tech stalwarts-companies like Oracle and Google-share lessons on how to thrive during tough times....more

2/13/09 Buy Your Loan Back From the Bank

Here's how you can negotiate a significant discount on your own debt. ...more

2/20/09 Obama commits to growing trade between Canada and the United States

U.S. President Barack Obama strongly pledged sweeping co-operation on a wide range of economic issues Thursday......more

2/13/09 The Best Way To Manage Customer Relationships

Small businesses don't need expensive software--a phone will do....more

2/18/09 Stimulus: What's in it for small biz?

Emergency bridge loans and reduced fees for SBA-backed loans are some of the stimulus bill's steps to help small businesses struggling to survive the recession....more

2/17/09 Hidden Tax Tips for Entrepreneurs

Are you missing tax deductions you're entitled to? Here are 25 tax deductions you may not have heard of but should....more

2/13/09 Tax Foes Urge Unshackling Of Upstate

Reduced state spending, a property-tax cap and energy-cost relief are the goals of a coalition of business and trade organizations....more

2/6/09 For Some Small Businesses, Recession Is Good News

From thrift stores to repair shops to auto garages, the recession brings new opportunities to plenty of small businesses....more

2/10/09 What Should You Spend on Advertising?

It's a ticklish question for every company. See what your rivals are doing, and then think about what's going to be effective....more

02/09/09 - Clinton County Sales Tax Way Up

Despite the gloomy economy, sales-tax revenue for Clinton County was at an all-time high in 2008....more

02/06/09 - Liquor Stores Fight Wider Wine Sales

A new coalition has been formed in opposition to a proposal to allow wine sales in stores where beer is currently sold....more

How Much Should I Tell My Employees?

There's bad internal communication, and then there's downright sloppiness. Consider this cautionary tale......more

Community Banks Increase Small Business Loans

As big banks struggle, community banks are stepping in to offer loans and lines of credit to small business owners....more

Plattsburgh Airport Expansion Planned

Fewer than two years into operation, Plattsburgh International Airport is poised for a major expansion....more

Pfizer Buys Wyeth; Local Effect Unknown

No. 1 drugmaker Pfizer Inc. said Monday it is buying No. 12 Wyeth for $68 billion in a deal that ultimately will wipe out nearly 20,000 jobs....more

Retailers Overhaul Business as Consumers Pull Back

For years, retailers could afford to be sloppy about running their businesses because customers kept buying. No more....more

NY senator says state could get $5B in fed aid

Published December 29, 2008 06:24 am - New York Sen. Charles Schumer says the state could get at least $5 billion in financial aid under a new economic stimulus package being developed by President-elect Barack Obama's transition team and congressional le...more

Gap Outlet to Close

The retail store in the Champlain Centre mall is shutting its doors. ...more

SBDC Unveils New Website

The North Country SBDC is proud to unveil their new website design....more

Funding for rooftop highway is major challenge

The money to pay for a massive $1 billion transportation project would have to come from a variety of sources, possibly including user fees on the Norhter Tier Expressway....more

Not business as usual in Westport classroom

Westport teacher livens up classroom, wins award Press Republican December 1, 2008 By ALVIN REINER Staff Writer ...more

Media Central Creates New Website

Media Central, based in Plattsburgh, New York has created a new website for the North Country SBDC....more

Verizon lights up second I-87 cell tower

Cell-phone tower in Lewis will add signal for 8 miles near Exit 32 Press Republican November 21, 2008 By KIM SMITH DEDAM Staff Writer ...more

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