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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1997-10-15, Page 14HelpingHur011 entrepreneurs duringSmall Business WeekTIM HURON axPosoron, O010.„ 15, 1907-1 3 BY DAVID SCOTT Expositor Editor SEA, HBDC, Strateg Contact, Access... If you're feeling lost in world of small business j gon, the Huron Busin Centre in Seaforth can tra late business buzz words i common language to he entrepreneurs get up and ru ning during Small Busine Week, October 20 - 24. The centre, at 138 Main St. South, which houses three t,,separate entities - Huron 'ounty Small Business Resource Centre, Huron Business Development Corporation (HBDC) and Huron Employment Resource Centre (HERC) - has been open since the fall of 1993. In a nutshell, if you're out of work you go to HERC. If you're looking for informa- tion on starting up a small business, you go to the small business resource centre and if you've gone to the bank and been turned down for a loan for a new or existing business, try the HBDC. The Huron Business Centre is really an information cen- tre. And during small busi- ness week, the centre will be holding open houses from Monday to Friday and giving out complimentary small business start-up kits and "Starting a Small Business in Ontario" books for those interested. And with stats from Industry Canada like "small firms are the most consistent source of job creation" and "97 per cent of all businesses have fewer than 50 employ- ees" you can see why the government promotes this week across the country is, the ar- ess ns- nto Ip n- 53 HELPING SMALL BUSINESS - Jim Niesen, lTOeft, and Carol DAVID SCOTT entreprLeeming are armed and during Small Bust inessW Week, Octwith information . r20 24, a the Huron Business Centre. Many Inquiries The small business centre handles between 900 and 1,000 inquiries a year, says small business advisor Carol Leeming. In addition, another 300 to 600 inquiries regard- ing financing are fielded by business and loans manager Jim Niesen. The purpose of the open house is "to let people know what we're about and what help i The Mighty Micro Numbers s available to entrepre- • Micro -enterprises (with 4 or less employees) comprise 88 per cent of all enterprises in Huron County -- a larger proportion than in the Ontario and Canadian economies • The majority of the region's micro -enterprises are found in the agricultural sector, followed by construction and retail • Micro -enterprises are helping diversify the region's economy -- approximately 20 per cent of new micro -enterprise growth from 1991-1996 occurred in industries in which there was previously no economic activity • The income generated by micro -enterprise is on average higher than that generated by an average employee • Employment generated by micro -enterprise accounts for between 7,349 and 8,952 jobs in Huron County, or between 26 and 30 per cent of the region's active labour force • The total income generated in Huron County by micro -enter- prises in 1991 is between $164,000,000 and $190,000,000 • The number of micro -enterprises in the region continues to grow; micro -enterprises with employees grew 7.6 per cent from 1991 - 1996, mirroring the growth in the total number of enter- prises with employees • Over half of Huron's micro -enterprises (56 per cent) have potential to export -- these are largely concentrated in the agricul- ture and manufacturing sectors • Of the sectors that experienced an increase in the number of micro -enterprises between 1991-1996, an estimated 41 per cent have the potential for basic activity • An estimated 4 per cent (198) of all micro -enterprises with employees graduated in small business between 1991-1996 **Front the Huron County Micro -Enterprise Input Evaluation Model, a study on the impact of micro -enterprises on the Huron County economy, published by Com/minify Benchmarks, August 28, 1997. Over 100 pages sent to town The Ontario government's much -waited -for "more information" on new trans- fer arrangements with this province's municipalities arrived in Seaforth last week. Seaforth clerk/administra- tor Jim Crocker said 101 pages came by courier. He seemed highly frustrat- ed after digesting it, and termed the information it contains "totally useless" for the purpose promised by the province - to have exact figures and help municipali- tics get a grip on next year's budgets. The administrator said he had prepared a lengthy report for last night's (Tuesday) second meeting this month of Seaforth Council. This paper went to press before then. neurs in Huron County," said Niesen. Aside from the information available at the Huron Business Centre, Industry Canada has a web -site, for those with internet access, that has close to one million pages of information on busi- ness, according to Niesen. "People can find so much information on small busi- ness - they don't have to leave their home," said Leeming. The HBDC can now pro- vide data on businesses wish- ing to export their products. "Myself and Paul Nichol (community development manager) have been trained as trade account executives," said Niesen. He can steer interested exporters in the right direction. SEA Grogram The SEA (or self employ- ment assistance) program is an interesting and helpful way for someone who is on employment insurance or maternity leave (or has been on E.I. anytime in the last three years or on maternity leave the last five ycars) to I want to be Your Mayor Hugh McCaughey On November 10th I Ask For Your Support VOTE Hugh McCaughey for Mayor West Perth THANK YOU! The Board of Directors of the Seaforth Agricultural Society would like to thank absolutely everyone whose participation contributed to the success of our 1997 Fall Fair. Thanks to those who donated their time, a prize or brought a food item. Thanks to the referees and everyone who helped run the Broomball Tournament, Special thanks to all our exhibitors, our volunteers and YOU, we couldn't do it without you! BICYCLE DRAW WINNER - Meghan Bedard AMBASSADOR DINNER & DANCE Thank you to the many sponsors & people who made the Ambassador Dinner & Dance such a great success. Vincent Farm Equipment - Bryan Vincent, Whitney-Ribey Funeral Home - Ross Ribey, McLaughlin Chev Olds - Bill McLaughlin, Hildebrand Flowers, Anna's Dress Shoppe, Arva Heights Elevators, Sills Hardware, Seaforth Insurance, James Etue Insurance, Seaforth Co - Op, Boussey's Beauty Boutique, Stratford Memorials, Cardno's Men's Wear. start up a full-time smal business. It's a 32 -week program says Leeming. And there are some restrictive criteria (like those mentioned above) including the business you wish to start must be different than any previous business you've owned. (For example, if someone owned a restau- rant and'it went under, they could not participate in this program if they planned to open another restaurant). Successful applicants for the SEA program receive a weekly $200 pay cheque (or more if their E.I. is not exhausted) for 32 weeks and are also eligible for childcare expenses in some cases. Each month the centre hosts a three-hour workshop for entrepreneurs - the first hour on applying for SEA and the last two hours on developing a business plan. For those not interested or eligible for SEA, they can attend just the last two hours, says Leeming. The small business centre receives provincial assistance in the form of materials and network. There are three books from the provincial government for sale at the centre for entrepreneurs on HOLM INSURANCE BROKERS Allan Carter, Broker • Home • Auto • Commercial • Farm 522-0399 Seaforth 1-800-265-0959 Strathroy Sarah spent the whole day shopping for a new car. She never left her living room. I sur SHE FOUND All THE INFORMATION SHE NE>DED. J Your search for bwvAedg, begirt %Oh VAI Internet. Get connected now and wi 1 mals a donation 'mord lowirtig =mowers For to school of your choios. 1-800-391-4638 www.bmA.00 n /Irrrr 7 tour SEARCH KA, ANOW11001 4.1-. record keeping, doing a busi- ness plan and marketing a small business. Lots of Questions The Huron Business Centre fields a lot of questions from people at all different stages of developing a business. They even get questions about what kind of business people should open (which they really can't offer advice on). "A lot of people come off the street not knowing exact- ly what they want yet," says Niesen. Once a person has talked to Leeming and researched their business, often they talk to Niesen next about financing. "The HBDC has financing available to new and existing businesses - for expansions, start-ups and restructuring. We provide a mentoring and counselling service," he said. The HBDC offers "alterna- tive lending" or "last resort" funding after entrepreneurs have gone through traditional money -lending institutions like banks or trust compa- nies. It should be stressed that this is NOT grant money - it's loaned money at prime plus three per cent, which Niesen said is currently eight and a quarter per cent. The HBDC can support an indi- vidual business up to $75,000. To date, since opening in the fall of 1993, the HDBC has helped maintain or create 391 jobs in Huron through its financial assistance. CONTINUED on page 14 COUNSELLING • Marriage • Family • Personal Growth • Learning Disabilities BRIAN O'REILLY, PIM 160 Huron St.482-9249 CLINTON 8 A cumuli WILT rAaM/ mos east//Tat SPOOI(- ThCuLAR FABRIC SAVINGS! Specie Ssiea!on! CIIIIISOCtOTN 90cm wide. White only. PROM !!s as Special Selection! KNIT SOLIDS 150cm wide. Some ends. ONLY I.0 as Special Selection! PoiYiTiRicovveN PIINTs 115cm wide. ONLY !.f! - Special selection! 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