SBA & Treasury Announce Simpler PPP
Forgiveness for Loans of $50,000 or Less
Yesterday the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action will streamline the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America's smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Click here to view the simpler PPP loan forgiveness application. Click here to view the instructions for completing the simpler application.

As always, the NCCC Small Business Development Center is available to offer loan application guidance or to assist you with the application process. You can reach them at (716) 210-2515 or at [email protected].
Is Your Business In Need
 of Additional PPE?
With the continued need to ensure an adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for employees and customers, many businesses are seeking assistance about where to acquire these materials. This extensive list provides contact information and a description of what is available to help you stock-up on the items you need.
Upcoming Training Courses
and Webinars
SBDC Presents:
The Entrepreneur Business Series

5 more Free classes to choose from
Enhance your business knowledge and skills
 
Class Schedule
Business Owner’s Insurance 10/13 
Marketing for Small Business 10/20
Understanding Your Financials 10/27
Taxes & the Small Business 11/3
Leadership: Employee & Self-Motivation 11/10
 ………………………………………………………….
Where: NCCC, 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd, Sanborn, NY
Room: E-140     
Time: 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Register: Call 716-210-2515, or click button below
Introducing the 

Empire State Digital is a first-in-the-nation initiative, designed to help NY State Small Businesses grow online sales.

The State has partnered with four e-commerce companies to help small businesses increase their online presence, take payments digitally, increase their education, and have access to capital.

Today we would like to share information on two of the partners; Shopify and Square. 

Shopify offers:
  • First 90 days FREE, for new brick-and-mortar merchants registering before November 30, 2020
  • Free access to Shopify Point-of Sale (POS) Pro features thru October 31, 2020
  • Free* contactless payment Shopify Tap & Chip Reader, for new POS retailers 
  • $500 in Shopify app store credits, for new Shopify POS brick-and-mortar retailers 
  • 24/7 support, including access to online educational resources and possible eligibility for Shopify Capital

Square offers:
  • Educational workshops for small businesses, including restaurants and retailers, interested in going online 
  • Build a FREE website with Square Online
  • Free processing on up to $1,000 in credit card transactions, for the first 180 days after joining Square
A practical step-by-step do-it-yourself virtual workshop series to help all women in business throughout Niagara County amp up your business post-pandemic. Bonus “office hours” available after each class for individual consultations!
 
At the end of this 6-week online program you will know how to:
 Sell your service or product online
Digitize & automate your processes
Set up and launch a digital sales funnel
 
Digitize It Yourself - Session N°1 - E-Commerce 101 Part 1
October 14 ,2020 - 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm - via Zoom
 
In this session we will cover:
Selling products, services or digital downloads online.
Overview of the technology options from basic to moderately complex - What to use and when.
Various channels of delivery.
Rubber meets the road - examples of traditional businesses
who can and should sell online.
 

This is a $50 class that is FREE to you thanks to the scholarships given through the Verizon Media Community Benefit Fund.
 
  • Participation in earlier classes is not required to participate in this one. Registration is therefore required for every Wednesday session.
  • There is NO cost to attend the sessions but seating is limited (Please don't take a spot unless you will use it).
  • The sessions are held weekly, every Wednesday, via Zoom from 6:00pm-7:30pm.
  • A Zoom invitation will be sent to you after we receive your registration the day before the session at 12:00 pm.*
 *Please check your SPAM Folder if you don't receive the Zoom invitation
GLOBAL BUSINESS ACADEMY

World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara’s Global Business Academy (GBA) is a new program for companies getting started in export, or enhancing their existing export international business. Through this nine-week course, companies will be educated by experts from the bi-national Buffalo Niagara region, enjoy 1-on-1 mentoring relationships and create their own export plan.

All educational courses and mentoring sessions will be delivered via Zoom. The GBA will also feature “open office hours,” enabling participants to interact and get questions answered in a group setting as they complete their export plans.

GBA participants should expect lots of relevant information, worthwhile interactions with speakers, mentors and peer companies, and game-changing strategies to grow your business. Thanks to the generous contributions from our sponsors, cost of the GBA program (typically $2,000) is only $495, some of which may be eligible for grant reimbursement upon completion of the program. Participating companies also get a one-year membership to WTCBN for continued support.

Topics to be covered include Export Plan Development, International Trade Resources,
Sales, International Marketing, Financial, Insurance, Legal Protection, International Tax, Process, Logistics and Supply Chain, E-Commerce.

More information and registration information is available at www.wtcbn.com/events/gba

Grant opportunities are available


Still unsure if this program would be a good fit for you? World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara is hosting two FREE, Zoom informational Sessions on the GBA to provide an opportunity for you to learn more.
Tuesday, October 13th 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Thursday October 15th 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
There is Still Time to Participate
in the 2020 Census
Have you completed the 2020 Census yet? There's still time! Visit my2020Census.gov to fill out your questionnaire. It's fast, easy, and completely confidential, and it's our civic duty. Please share this with your employees and encourage them to participate as well, to help ensure that we receive our fair share of federal funding for essential services.
Stay Engaged for the
Latest Businesses Developments
Continue to look for emails from our office in the coming days and weeks updating you on the latest reopening news and what assistance is available to help you through this difficult time. Our staff is working hard to compile a complete list of guidelines, safety protocols and programs that are available. We will also share upcoming webinars and training that you can participate in. To learn more, be sure to visit our website and bookmark it.
Sincerely,

Niagara County Center for Economic Development
(716) 278-8750