The FCBA is inviting businesses and entrepreneurs to help us plan for a grant application to continue USDA funding of our “EMPOWERS Rural Business Development” project. Begun in 2017, the programs developed under this project have included business skills training, professional consultations, visits and presentations by national small rural business and economic development consultants, enhancement of the Forest County Community & Economic Development Office, the engagement of a part-time executive director for the FCBA and more!
While we know that the upcoming USDA application will include efforts to build Forest County’s creative industry, your help is requested to identify the needs of the local business community in general. Doing business in Forest County is not the same as everywhere else…even other rural communities in our region…so we need to hear, directly from you, what types of challenges you have that we can help you overcome.
Be a part of developing programs that will help you start or grow your business in Forest County! Local businesses and entrepreneurs are invited to attend and share their ideas for programs that will help us meet your needs. Our business community is extremely diverse and includes existing “bricks-and-mortar” businesses, home office professionals, individuals who want to start a business, artists and artisans, agricultural producers, “cottage industry” producers (food, soaps, candles, etc.) and others. All are encouraged to attend!
The one thing that is obvious is we need to embrace the diversity of industries found in Forest County and work to grow every business in EVERY industry we have. To do that, we need to know about you and what you need to achieve growth and success. How can we help you?
Please join us for one of two meetings will be held:
January 15, 2020 – Forest County Visitor Center, Tionesta, 5 – 6 pm
January 23, 2020 – Marienville Area Library, 5 – 6 pm
If you are unable to attend either of these meetings, please use this link to access an online survey that will allow you to share your ideas and opinions: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HowCanWeHelpYou