Chautauqua Opportunities for Development Inc. (CODI)

Microenterprise Loan Fund Program to Hold 8-Week "Small Business Essentials" Course

 Over the past few years, CODI has emerged as an important provider of business plan assistance and counseling to disadvantaged entrepreneurs in Chautauqua County.  CODI offers the area a small business training course called "Small Business Essentials," which is an 8-week course (total of 24 hours) that meets once a week for three hours.  CODI seeks to provide the participants with the information needed to operate their business.  Many entrepreneurs are caught off guard by the intricacies of running a business, but if they are prepared, then their chances for success are higher.

The course covers all aspects of creating a business plan, in addition to determining if being an entrepreneur is right for the participant.  By going through this step-by-step process, the participants gain a better understanding of their industry, market potential, competition, forms of businesses, permits, sources of information, financial planning and the importance of being proactive.  In addition, the class is interactive, has real world applications specifically designed for micro enterprises and ultimate goal is to have a completed business plan at the end of the class. 

In order to provide the best information to our students, we use volunteer professionals from the community to give presentations for specific classes.  Current volunteer speakers include Paul Butryn, Accountant; Jeffrey Passafaro, Attorney; Jane Russo, M&T Bank Manager; and a Business Counselor form the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).  We encourage potential and existing business owners to take our class to help them sharpen their skills.

Each session is able to accommodate most people and classes are kept at a manageable size of 10 to 12 students.  In order to make the sessions as accessible as possible, we attempt to subsidize the cost of the classes by obtaining grants from various agencies.  The class is taught by the Director of Economic Development and offered twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.  Classes are held in community spaces that are comfortable and handicapped accessible alternating between the north and south areas of the count.

CODI has scheduled the next "Small Business Essentials" Course to be held:

Monday Evenings
March 7, 2005 - April 25, 2005
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location:
Chautauqua Opportunities for Development, Inc. (CODI) 
Economic Development Center
402 Main Street Suite 2
2^nd Floor Conference Room
Dunkirk, NY

This accessible and practical training and technical assistance gives low-income microentrepreneurs in Chautauqua County the opportunity to own and operate viable businesses, winch will enrich their families, their communities and the local economy.  This is an important step as we work to development more business activity and opportunities for lower income individuals in Chautauqua County.

Space is limited so to ensure your seat, please register by calling the CODI office at 366-2334 ext 12 by noon on Monday, February 28, 2005