Small Business Committee

Sonja Roberton
The Lighting Gallery
Co-Chair

Marnie Schuschke
ND Small Business Development Center
Co-Chair

Purpose - Provide value to The Chamber's small business members through educational, programming, and other small business services. Work with SBA, it's resource partner programs, such as SCORE and the ND SBDC, along with other business owners to carry out this purpose. 

Meets 1st Wednesday of each month at 11:30 am

​Goals

• Continue to offer a monthly Brown Bag seminar on a variety of topics pertinent to small businesses in the Grand Forks - East Grand Forks Region
• Offer one half-day small business education opportunities

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Entrepreneur & Small Business Resources:

​The Chamber of Commerce GF/EGF

• Shark Tank: business 2 years or younger as well as individuals pitch their ideas for cash prizes
• Brown Bag: monthly seminars that focus on continued professional development
• Business After Hours: opportunity to connect with other business owners & entrepreneurs
• Membership provides: credibility, exposure to a large network, marketing opportunities & more

Grand Forks Region Economic Development

• Properties: explore properties available throughout the region through the website’s interactive map
• Tax Incentives & Exemptions
• Workforce Training: secure funding for hiring interns and training new hires
• Start Up Grand Forks: seed funding for entrepreneurs who are not quite at the stage for conventional financing
• Red River Corridor Fund: provide business capital by working with lenders

Evolve Grand Forks

• The 701 Co-working Space: provides space for freelancers, remote employees, and independent professionals
• Main Street Challenge: provides UND and high school students the chance to explore their entrepreneurial ideas with funding and mentorship
• 1 Million Cups: provides a platform for entrepreneurs to tell their story and connect with key players in the community

SCORE

• Free Mentoring: provide free, confidential business advice
• Local Workshops: provide informative sessions that cover all aspects of a business
• Free Resources: provides a business library to find resources that apply to entrepreneurs & small business owners at any stage 

UND Center of Innovation
  Office Space: 

• Furnished, flexible leases, 24/7 access, utilities included, tech support

  Coaching & Funding Programs

• Innovate ND: a 3-phase assistance program to turn innovative ideas into profitable businesses
• SBIR/STTR: a funding program that encourages domestic small business to engage in Federal Research/Research & Development that has the potential for commercialization

  701 Angel Fund

• Angel funding for high-growth investment opportunities
• Writing Assistance: 
• Assist with grants and applications required for associated programs

North Dakota Small Business Development Centers
  Business Advising: no cost, confidential, personalized advising for for-profit businesses in North Dakota

• Pre-venture & Start-Up: provide Feasibility Analysis, Start-up Logistics, Business Plan Development, Financial Projections & Access to Capital, Market Research & Marketing Advice
• Existing Businesses: Access to Capital, Market Research, Business Valuation, Business Transition Planning, Government Contracting, Exporting, Workforce Issues, Growth-Stagnation-and ‘Turn-Around Work’

  Training

• Online: Free Cyber Security Assessment, Free Human Resource Training options, Training on Exports & International Trade, Government Contracting Webinars
• In-person: provide a variety of events throughout the year in Grand Forks, Fargo, & Bismarck

U.S. Small Business Administration

• Business Guide: provide an on-line step-by-step guide to planning, launching, managing, and growing a business
• Funding Programs: provide a variety of loan, investment capital, disaster assistance, surety bonds, and grant programs
• Learning Center: provide a variety of free on-line courses covering how to start, run, and grow a business