06/23/11 - City Council Newsletter

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Construction is the general contractor for the project, which is designed and managed by the Eugene Public Works Department. Additional information about the project is available at www.eugene-or.gov/alder or by calling Project Manager John Bonham at 541-682-5300. Moving from Plan to Action: City Supports Micro-Enterprise Development In support of the Regional Prosperity Economic Development Plan, the City of Eugene partnered with eDev to help small, local businesses get started and support their growth. eDev is a nonprofit micro-enterprise development organization located in Eugene that serves Lane County. The mission of the organization is to provide business development services to people who want to start a small business or who want to build an existing business. As part of the plan’s strategy to energize a creative economy, $30,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds will help provide ongoing, comprehensive training and educational opportunities to potential low-income micro- entrepreneurs in Eugene. The classes provided by eDev cover topics like writing a business plan, researching niche and target markets, understanding the cost of doing business, using balance sheets/pricing/cash flow statements, marketing, legal matters, taxation, and financing options, social media as relates to business development, starting a business, different types of legal business structures, and other topics related to the development of a business. A few examples of local entrepreneurs who have already benefitted from the program include:  Mira Fanin, the proud owner of Sweet Skins located at 782 Blair in Eugene. Mira creates designs that are accessible and wearable by women of all shapes, sizes and color. Mira continues to learn about marketing, manufacturing and distribution through eDev classes and support.  Michael Sussman, who was unemployed and at a crossroads in his career when he arrived at eDev. eDev staff helped Michael explore his options and he decided to start a bookkeeping company in 2010 with an eco-friendly focus.  Katherine Ehmlen of Creative Minds, a current eDev participant who plans to expand her business in the next year. She not only writes and paints, but is also a gifted photographer. In addition, a $25,000 contract will support two other business development and job creation programs. First, the Economic Gardening program will provide nine workshops in Eugene featuring in-depth business information, education and training in each of the seven targeted business development areas in the Regional Prosperity Economic Plan. The business opportunities were developed in cooperation with eDev’s project partners: UO Lundquist Business School; UO Community Planning Workshop; UO Research Park; Emerald Valley High Performance Enterprise Consortium; Lane Community College Green Job Training, and private businesses. The second program, Business Development/Mentoring, will provide 12 skill and business development/growth workshops in Eugene for Eugene (and non-Eugene) residents. In addition, eDev anticipates making at least four to five loans to Eugene businesses totaling a minimum of $90,000 through its Small Business Administration Microloan Program. For more information, contact Mike Sullivan at 541-682-5448. Leyendas de México / Legends of Mexico at Eugene Public Library The Downtown Eugene Public Library will host Leyendas de México / Legends of Mexico, a free bilingual show for all ages by Nuestro Canto at 6 p.m. on First Friday, July 1. The show is a lively and enchanting celebration of the music, dance, languages, and folklore of Mexico. This performance is part of Summer Reading 2011, featuring a series of free events at the Eugene Public Library united by the theme “One World, Many Stories.” The Downtown Library stays open until 8 p.m. on First Fridays. For more information, visit www.eugene-or.gov/library or call the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 June 23, 2011