This month’s Heber Valley Chamber Luncheon was focused on “Small Business Resources” for our local community. Special guest speakers were present and represented the following entities:

• MAG (Mountainland Association of Governments)
• Utah Valley University Small Business Development Center (UVU SBDC)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services (UT DWS)
• Go Utah (Governor’s Office of Economic Development / GOED)

Below are links to topics discussed and additional resources available to our business owners and residents in our community.

MOUNTAINLAND ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (MAG):
MAG works with member jurisdictions, non-profit organizations, and citizens to build strong and sustainable communities. Its programs include a small business loan fund, grant programs, and economic development planning and coordination. Its mission is to “Empower communities to achieve their vision in Summit, Utah and Wasatch counties in Utah.”

• Small Business Loan Program: Supports small businesses, expands economic opportunity, and creates permanent, long-term jobs within the region by providing gap and start-up financing to small businesses.
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program: Sponsored by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the CDBG program aims to build viable communities by providing critical services to the most vulnerable, supporting neighborhood and community improvements, creating jobs for low- and moderate-income residents, and fostering projects that create and maintain affordable housing. This is done in conjunction with the Utah Housing and Community Development Division.
• Wasatch County Transportation Planning: MAG administers the Rural Planning Organization for Wasatch County. The RPO creates a transportation plan for the county, conducts studies, and coordinates with the Utah Department of transportation for planning the larger highway system.
• Additional Resources: contact Jessica DeLora, Director of Community and Economic Development: 801-229-3831 or [email protected]

UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (UVU SBDC):
Providing a wealth of knowledge, resources, and points of contact to help new and existing small businesses grow and thrive.

• Workshops / Clinics / Business Advising: Join a free zoom teleconference call to learn how the UVU SBDC staff can help your small business.
• Trainings: One-time trainings and monthly classes are offered on a variety of relevant topics to help business owners in a range of current and practical skills.
• SBDC COVID-19 Help: Loans, grants, and forgiveness resources.
• Shuttered Venue Operators Grant: Provides emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by COVID-19.
• Mentor Programs: An opportunity for business owners to work with experienced mentors to help their business improve. During this six-month program, you will receive confidential, tailored guidance for your business from experienced, local executive mentors. Mentors guide you to look at your business from a new perspective, increase sales, look at new markets, and move to the next level.
• Additional Resources: contact Camille Pendleton, Director: 801-863-8230 or [email protected]

UTAH DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SERVICES (UT DWS):

• Recruitment / Grants / Skill Development: Offering a plethora of services and information for a variety of common and urgent business needs.
• Heber Center for Utah Department of Workforce Services: Employment services for the general public.
• Heber Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR): Offering vocational rehabilitation services for eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for employment.
• Additional Resources: contact Brittany Cozens: 435-315-5749 or [email protected]

GO UTAH (FORMERLY GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / GOED):
Utah Rural Development works with businesses in Utah’s rural counties, providing resources and programs to sustain business and improve employment opportunities. The center collaborates with local governments and other development partners to support rural economic growth.

• Enterprise Tax Zones
• Rural County Grant Program
• Rural Co-Working & Innovation Center Grant Program (RCIC)
• Rural Economic Development Incentive (REDI)
• Targeted Business Tax Credits (TBTC)
• Utah Rural Jobs Program
• Additional Resources: contact Rebecca Dilg, Rural Outreach Manager: 801-538-8681 or [email protected]; James Dixon, Deputy Assistant Director: 801-538-8687 or [email protected]

UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS:

Heber Valley Chamber understands the need for continued dialogue and the necessity to bring in resources to help our business community thrive. With some of the challenges we are experiencing now and more to come due to rapid growth and development, Heber Valley Chamber has established its mission to enhance prosperity and quality of life for business and residents alike. Our monthly lunches, training seminars, community programs, and marketing promotions provide exposure for members and added value to the community. Learn how you can get more involved with the Heber Valley Chamber and help impact the development and growth of our community in a positive way. We look forward to continuing the discussion and being a resource to support our community!

Did you see these previous news stories?
Chamber May 2021 Business of the Month
Chamber Member Spotlight May 2021