Did you know that MetroAction, a local non-profit community development organization, offers loans up to $50,000 for small businesses?  (more…)

Early childhood education is an essential part of the growth and development of children. MetroAction supports area child care providers that want to improve the care they provide to area children.

That is why, in 2005, MetroAction, with the assistance of the Opportunity Finance Network, created the Child Care MicroGrant Program. Since its inception, the program has awarded grants to 24 child care providers and impacted over 1,200 local children across seven counties in NEPA.

This past October, MetroAction awarded five more area child care providers with a MetroAction Child Care MicroGrant. Out of the 18 applications submitted, the five recipients were chosen for specific project ideas that showcased innovation.

MetroAction was proud to provide a Child Care MicroGrant to the following providers: 

• Buttons and Bows in Carbon County who will purchase rubber mulch to make their outdoor play area safer for the 35 children that attend their center.

• The Greater Carbondale YMCA in Lackawanna County will spend their grant funds on implementing their Health and Wellness focused project called “Cardio for Kids”. This program will allow the over 45 children that participate the opportunity to learn about healthy exercise in a fun way.

• The Greater Scranton YMCA in Lackawanna County will implement their “Smart Cents” after school program. This program will teach over 40 students with hands-on activities teaching about money, business, problem solving and math.

• The Growing Place in Luzerne County will utilize their grant funds on a project called Music and Movement. This curriculum and program development focused project will impact 115 children by exposing them to different types of music and choreography.

• Pocono Services for Families and Children in Monroe County will have a Diversity Awareness project focusing on teaching tolerance to over 75 children. This project will utilize multi-cultural materials such as books, puppets and music to teach about improving self-esteem, language differences, and diverse cultures.

MetroAction awards $2,500 in MicroGrants to child care providers throughout their eight county service area, twice each year. The next funding round will take place in spring 2009.

Visit our website, www.MetroAction.org, for program updates. 
 
Have you received a MicroGrant from MetroAction?  Post your comments and program highlights here!

On December 3, MetorAction hosted a “Trends in Human Resources” panel discussion.  The panel, moderated by Don Ryan, The Ryan Group, included:

• Bill Nish, Times Shamrock Communications
• Attorney Sal Savatteri, Savatteri Law Offices
• Dr. Bill Wallick, University of Scranton
• Dr. Jim Yannopolous, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania

During the program the panelist and participants mentioned several helpful websites for HR professionals.  Most of the sites mentioned are listed below:

• www.casebreakers.com — national background check
• www.mybackgroundcheck.com
• www.everify.com — to verify immigration status
• www.uscis.gov — examples of documents, I9 forms, etc.
• www.nepashrm.org — forms, samples, templates, live chat

The feedback from this seminar was extremely positive — one participant commented, “[This] roundtable discussion was excellent!”  For information on upcoming training topics, visit http://metroaction.org/training.html. 

If you have other resources you would like to share, please post them here!

If you own an online business or if your brick and mortar establishment has a website, then this information is for you!

Business.gov, a website committed to providing businesses with access to government services and information, has recently developed a business Toolkit. The Toolkit is a “gadget” specifically designed for small business enterprises.

A “gadget” is a small object that can be posted to any website simply by cutting and pasting a code to the webpage. “Gadgets” offer various resources that are automatically updated everyday.

The new “gadget” provided by business.gov offers a wide variety of information and resources that are relative to small business owners. The features that this “gadget” offers are as follows:

• Explore information, forms, and contacts at all levels of government.
• Peruse current topics pertaining to small businesses.
• Research applicable licenses and permits pertinent to your business.
• View media clips offering advice from top entrepreneurs.

This is a quick, free, no maintenance reserve that provides you, and the ones that visit your website, with the latest information and resources related to small businesses. To obtain the code that will allow you to post this business Toolkit to your company’s website, visit www.business.gov.

Design Done Right, located in Lake Ariel, was awarded the November Small Business Spotlight Award for their contributions to local organizations. Design Done Right was created in 2005 by Michelle Bersch.  Ms. Bersch wanted to focus on providing clients with affordable high-end media design.

Design Done Right offers full service graphic design, photography and website design services while maintaining complete customer satisfaction.

Ms. Bersch is a dedicated and creative designer who truly cares about her clients and her local community. Ms. Bersch is especially dedicated to the Scranton branch of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), in which she is a member.

Design Done Right is also a member of various other organizations such as the Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO), The United Way, The Southern Wayne Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
Each month, MetroAction presents the Small Business Spotlight award to a local business dedicated to giving back to their local community.  If you know of a deserving business, nominate them today!

Photo Caption:
From Left to Right: John Peterson, vice president, First Liberty Bank & Trust and Michele Bersch, owner, Design Done Right.

First Friday Scranton is unveiling a new fundraising effort, Friends of First Friday.   The program is designed to offer individuals a way to easily support the arts in Scranton and specifically the efforts of First Friday Scranton.  First Friday Scranton coordinates a monthly artwalk in downtown Scranton featuring local, regional and nationally known artists, live music and a complimentary trolley between venues. 

Cards featuring the First Friday logo will be sold for $25.  The card entitles the holder to a 10% discount on a variety of cultural attractions, dining, shopping and more!  Over 20 businesses are participated in the program: (more…)

A business name can say a lot about you and your company. Even though it’s probably only one or two words, some very powerful first impressions may be drawn simply by reading the name. A good business name conveys what a company stands for, its values, and why it is distinct from other business entities.

Sometimes, for one reason or another, the proprietor of a business wishes to change the name of their company. Before doing this however, there should be a lot of thought put into the reasons for the wanted change and how a name change might affect the business. The name change decision may hold some repercussions that you as a business owner may not be equipped to handle.

If you have decided to change the name of your business there are specific actions that you must take which depend on the type of business organization that you have chosen for your company.

Sole Proprietorship

The name of a sole proprietorship may be changed by sending a letter notifying the IRS of the intended name change. The letter, which must be signed by the owner or an authorized delegate, should be addressed to the same destination where the owner files his/her return.

Corporation

The name of a corporation may be changed by filling in the appropriate information on the current year’s tax return form. If the name change occurs after the current year’s return has been filed, a letter, addressed to the same destination where the corporation files its return, can be sent notifying the IRS of the name change.

Partnership

The name of the partnership may be changed by filling in the appropriate information on the current year’s tax return form. If the name change occurs after the current year’s return has been filed, a letter, addressed to the same destination where the partnership files its return, can be sent notifying the IRS of the name change.

This information applies to the three main types of legal structures.  There are others available.  MetroAction recommends that you consult with you attorney and/or accountant before changing your business name. 

For more information, please go to www.irs.gov.

First Friday Scranton offers another great way to learn more about the Electric City. First Friday art walks are held on the first Friday of each month (except January) at businesses and galleries around the downtown area.

MetroAction is proud to support the downtown arts initiative through Business Development Administrator Christina Hitchcock’s participation on the First Friday board. A map is published each month on www.firstfridayscranton.com in the days before the event with a full list of participating artists and venues.

While attending school, students may feel uncertainty about what awaits them after graduation.Once students graduate, they may consider going into business for themselves. Schools can offer the best training and guidance to students in their specific areas of study. However, once a student is in the workforce, they may lack the business training needed to capitalize on their profession. (more…)

Choosing a business organization is one of the most important decisions you will make when starting your own company. It is, therefore, imperative that you understand the rules and regulations that are exclusive to each specific entity. It is also important that you clearly define every aspect of your business. By doing this you ensure that you will pick the correct business organization for your company. (more…)