Wednesday 3rd, the Cache Business Resource Center will offer a FREE workshop on Setting Up Quickbooks for Businesses.  6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Provided by David H. Johnson, Cache Valley Accounting. Held in room 1901 of the CBRC (located in the West Campus of BATC – 1400 North 1000 West, Logan UT). To register, call 213-8713 or email croberts@cachebrc.com

CEO Space, a business networking club, meets every Thursday at the Cache Business Resource Center, room 1812. All local CEO Space Club meetings are no charge to attend. They are provided by CEO Space as a public service.

CEO Space is a 20 year old company that networks CEO’s, business owners and professionals in a cooperative not competitive environment. Come meet around the conference table and share what it is that you do, what project you’re working on and what you need next.

For a yearly fee of $200 ($50 quarter) small businesses have access to resources at the CBRC such as Copy Center, Conference Rooms, Computers, Business Library Resources. Contact the center for more info. 435-213-8713 or croberts@cachebrc.com.

http://www.epicor.com/Industries/Manufacturing/Pages/Manufacturing.aspx

Epicor’s integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution for manufacturers can help you gain competitive advantage and remove barriers in your business.

Thousands of small, mid-size, and large companies in more than 140 countries worldwide trust Epicor to help them streamline operations and increase profitability. Manufacturers must respond to a new set of challenges each day in a rapidly changing global economy. Epicor’s next-generation business applications are designed for flexibility, collaboration, and ease-of-use.

With recognized expertise in providing software solutions for manufacturers, we welcome the opportunity to help you determine if Epicor is the right fit for your company. Your return-on-investment will be realized through the ability to:

• Manage customer relationships more productively and profitably
• Boost collaboration with Web 2.0 functionality and streamline supply chain management
• Take control of planning, sales, production, quality, materials management, and lean initiatives
• Use a built-in global business management engine for real-time financial data and anytime business insight
• Easily manage scheduling, track jobs, and integrate accounting functions
• Manage requirements for multiple sites and languages
• Grow and change your business with a system that will support you long term

Your Future Workforce can benefit by this: No Child Left Inside http://bit.ly/mMDS4

Check out the e-commerce tips on http://eimr.blogspot.com.Be sure to scroll down the right sidebar. It just gets better and better.

Check out the e-commerce tips on http://eimr.blogspot.com.Be sure to scroll down the right sidebar. It just gets better and better.

A group of entrepreneurs met in the Cache Business Resource Center last night for the 3rd Thursday evening to hear from an experienced entrepreneur on his take of running a business in tough times. Jack Nixon, of Nixon & Nixon Realty and Century 21 shared his experiences with this eager group. He had several gems that emerged from his experiences:

• Make sure you have a business plan.
• Ask the advice of someone who has survived tough times, then LISTEN rather than talk. You can’t learn if you are doing all of the talking.
• Know that you will make some mistakes. Be willing to step back and make corrections.
• Be dogged; past the point of the average person, but not to the point of being stupid. Know when to get out or change your plan.
• Think outside the box.
• Look for opportunities out of negatives.
• Be ready to ‘wear most of the hats’ in your business until you can afford extra staff or outsource parts of your work.
• Make sure you haven’t promised the moon to your spouse or significant other. Be realistic. You must have his/her support.
• Be humble. You can learn from everyone, no matter where they are in life.
• Enjoy the ride!

2009 Utah Valley Parade of Homes runs May 29-June13 and will feature 27 homes including; NAHB Green Build, remodels, 50 plus housing and affordable housing.

http://www.uvhba.com
http://www.utahparade.com

keystone-connection-april-2009

Global Market Resources: 
Library, industry specific info, customized research
http://www.export.gov

Top Export Market http://dataweb.usitc.gov
Local Websites http://buyusa.gov

May 8, 2009 by Kerry Fitzgerald
Posted in: COBRA, Communication, Employment law, Records documentation, Special Report, Terminations
The Internal Revenue Service just let you off the hook for what could’ve been a big administrative hassle this year-end.

IRS recently announced it won’t require any information reporting (i.e., Forms W-2 or 1099) for COBRA premium assistance payments employers make on behalf of terminated employees.

There’s a tradeoff, of course. It’s likely that because you don’t have to officially inform employees of the subsidy amount, recipients will have to call you when they prepare their personal federal tax returns.

Some will have to pay back a portion of the subsidy, e.g., those with adjusted gross income of $125,000 or more; $250,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly. Assistance eligibility phases out completely for people with modified gross incomes of $145,000 or more; $290,000 for joint filers. They’ll return the subsidy amount by increasing their tax liability on the Form 1040.

To prevent your phone from ringing off the hook, consider compiling subsidy info throughout the year, as your company makes the premium payments, and issue a simple statement at year-end along with your W-2s or 1099s.

What you’ll need
The info you’ll need should be easy enough to find. As part of the COBRA subsidy program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act requires employers to maintain the following documentation:

• Dates and amounts of the assistance eligible individuals’ 35% share of the premium.
• A copy of the invoice or other supporting statement from the insurance carrier (when you have an insured plan) and proof of timely payment of the full premium to the insurance carrier required under COBRA.
• Proof of the (1) premium amount and (2) coverage provided to the assistance eligible individuals. (Self-insured plans only.)
• Attestation of involuntary termination, including the date of the involuntary termination (which must be between 9/1/08 and 12/31/09), for each covered employee whose involuntary termination is the basis for eligibility for the subsidy.
• Proof of each assistance eligible individual’s eligibility for COBRA coverage at any time during the period between 9/1/08 and 12/31/09, and election of COBRA coverage.
• Social Security Numbers of all covered employees,  the amount of the subsidy reimbursed with respect to each covered employee,  and whether the subsidy was for one individual or two or more individuals.
• Other documents necessary to verify the correct amount of reimbursement. Note that although your company must maintain this documentation, you’re not required to submit it with your Form 941.

Here is a list of the State and Federal Posters that are required to be posted at your place of business.  There is no charge for the posters and they may be copied.  Some can be downloaded from the Internet.

 FEDERAL:
  Federal Wage and Hour Poster
  Federal Family Medical Leave Act
  Federal Employee Polygraph Protection Act
  Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act/USERRA
These four posters can be obtained through the U.S. Department of Labor, Salt Lake City District (801) 524-5706 (#5) or at http://www.dol.gov/osbp/sbrefa/poster/main.htm.
  Federal Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law
This poster can be obtained from the Publications Distribution Center 1-800-669-3362. Internet address: www.eeoc.gov/

STATE OF UTAH:
  Unemployment Insurance Notice to Workers (Available Online)
This poster is available from the Dept. of Workforce Services, Unemployment Insurance Division (801) 526-9235

  Workers’ Compensation English (Available Online)
  Workers’ Compensation Spanish (Available Online)
This poster is available from the Labor Commission, Industrial Accidents Division (801) 530-6844.

  Utah Job Safety & Health Protection English (Available Online)
  Utah Job Safety & Health Protection Spanish (Available Online)
This poster is available from the Labor Commission, Occupational Safety & Health (UOSH) (801) 530-6901.

  
Do you confuse “farther” with “further”? Many people do. Check this list of common words that trip writers up with averse consequences. Or should we say adverse?
http://pbpinfo.com/links?ID=-232552986&L=MUEZ-120aa-a

Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce
Presents:
ISU Workforce Training’s Learning Lunch Seminar
Customer Service & Retention
This two hour workshop in Customer Service and Retention can give your company the foundation it needs to become the provider of choice in your area. 
Topics covered:
• Transform ordinary customer service into extraordinary customer service.
• Convert satisfied customers into motivated evangelists for your company.
• Learn how employee satisfaction leads to customer satisfaction.
• Explore case studies in customer service excellence.
• Create a Customer Centered organization.
When:           Thursday, May 28th
11:30 – 1:30 PM
Where:          Stephens Henneger College
755 S. Main St.
Logan, UT  84321
Cost:             $35 for up to 4 People
(bring your own lunch)
Call (208) 282-3372 to Register

The Utah Distsrict Small Business Administration Office had a record-breaking SBA-lending year. Only Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York made more loans.

Zions Bank was recently recognized as the national award winner in the category of Large Lender (over $1Billion in Assets) for 504 and 7 (a) loans. They also received recognition for Patriot and Export Express Loans.

Deseret First Credit Union was recognized in the category of Small Lender ($100 Million t0 $500 Million) for 504 loans.

Mountain America Credit Union and America First Credit Union received the honor of Outstanding Performance.

If not, you need to visit with your local Chamber of Commerce. Call Tiffani 752-2161 ext. 103 or Carolyn 752-2161 ext. 104 to see how the Chamber can help your business succeed. Visit www.cachechamber.com to find out more about our Chamber.

Check out this year’s market  http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M3796 Locally grown produce, artwork, and crafts. Live music. Come have breakfast while you shop.

Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1: p.m. 150 south 200 East, Logan,UT (Pioneer Park)

 Get real time updates http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

For local info: Bear River Health Department http://www.brhd.org

Print your own required postings

 http://www.laborcommission.utah.gov/AdministrativeServices/RequiredPosters.html

     Utah Labor posters.mht

Thank you for your involvement in Envision Cache Valley events this month!

Growth scenarios, based on the ideas that you expressed at community workshops, are currently in development.

SAVE THE DATE! OPEN HOUSES ARE SCHEDULED FOR MAY 19, 20, AND 21. WATCH FOR MORE DETAILS…
The open houses are your opportunity to discuss the scenarios with others and express your preferences for a shared vision of the future.

Pass it on! Please invite others to be involved.

More than 1,300 people have been involved in the Envision Cache Valley process over the past several weeks. Please encourage others to get involved and to voice their opinions. A survey is still available online, at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=iJGujsa8rrnbO2k3ahNzBg_3d_3d. The intent of the survey is to gather general impressions about growth and to generate conversation about relationships between community form and transportation choices, housing options, availability of community services, and conservation opportunities. Please encourage those you know to take the survey, join the conversation, and to pass the link on to others.

Thank you for your ideas and participation!
For more information: www.envisioncachevalley.com

The CBRC has computers, a library and classrooms for business instruction. You may bring your laptop to the center. Free counseling, evaluation assessments, and low-cost workshops.

Low-cost business incubation space is available for use during business expansion — office space and manufacturing space.  $8 / sq ft per year.

Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Evening hours for SCORE counseling:  Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with appointment.  435-213-8713  1400 North & 1000 West, Logan, UT (located in the BATC West Campus, Room 1901).

Bridgerland SHRM – Monthly Meeting

on “When Drug Testing is Appropriate”

Just a quick reminder that Rob Brunt from Blueline Services will be our speaker for the May Bridgerland SHRM luncheon. Mr. Brunt will be addressing when drug testing is appropriate and how to be aware of these situations in the workplace.
We will be having a full schedule on Thursday, so please plan on arriving on time so we can begin promptly at noon.
Luncheon on Thursday, May 21, 2009, at 12:00 noon

Hamilton’s Restaurant will be catering at their off-site building located at:
155 Church Street, Logan, UT
(Corner of Federal and Church)
$10.00 for SHRM Members; $12.00 for non-members

If you have not already sent in your RSVP, please do so today. You can send your RSVP to Rebecca Norfleet at rnorfleet@yesco.com or register online at http://www.bridgerlandshrm.org

Global Marketing Research http://www.export.gov – Industry specific and customized http:// http://www.buyusa.gov and http://dataweb.usitc.gov

Utah Non-profits newsletter http://bit.ly/ZgkLt