January 12, 2010
‘Meeting Business Needs’ seminar set for Feb. 2
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- In light of the current economic situation, business owners are on the lookout for helpful financial information and that’s what “Meeting Business Needs,” a free February workshop, has to offer. The seminar is set for 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 at the Red Hawk Golf Club, located at 6204 Illinois 154 in rural Tamaroa.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security is facilitating the in-depth workshop and sponsors are the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Entrepreneurship Center, Pinckneyville Economic Development Office, Du Quoin Chamber of Commerce, Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce and the Foundation for Pinckneyville.
“I strongly encourage all Southern Illinois business owners to attend this event, which is free of charge. I’ve seen the information that will be shared with employers and know it to be valuable in terms of reducing the cost of doing business and in this economy, we have to look to lower costs wherever we can. This compilation of helpful tips includes several ways to assist business owners in preparing and with financial management using tax and cost savings measures,” said Robyn Laur Russell, director of the Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center.
The workshop will include a light dinner and information about a variety of topics of interest to business owners. Presenters will detail how to reduce the cost of doing business while assisting workers in obtaining experience through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which provides federal tax incentives ranging from $2,400 to $9,000 per employee. The seminar will also provide information about the unemployment process, the Illinois labor market, skills matching, employing Illinois veterans, employee bonding, workforce investment partners, the Re-Entry Employment Services Program and more.
Laur Russell said those attending will get information about money-saving programs and resources that they may not be aware of. Participants will also learn through role-playing exercises that mirror actual cases.
“In order to assist businesses affected by the current economic conditions with their needs, we need to provide a diverse range of business support services to our local business owners. This is a workshop that is designed to not only highlight unemployment insurance processing, but to remind local business owners that there are numerous value-added programs and services available to them, many at no charge,” said Carrie Ford, Pinckneyville economic development coordinator.
To register, send the name of the organization or business, address, telephone number and e-mail of contact person and number of people attending to: Du Quoin Chamber of Commerce, P.O Box 57, Du Quoin, IL 62832. The registration deadline is Jan. 27. For more information, call 618/542-9570.
For more information about the Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center at SIUC or the many programs and services it offers, contact Robyn Laur Russell at 618/453-3805 or by e-mail at rrussell@biz.siu.edu.