Chamber Now - March 19, 2021

Chamber NOW March 19, 2021

Pike Chamber News & Opportunities Weekly

Facebook Workshop

March 24

FREE Tax Preparation

January TechCred Round Funds Nearly 5,000 Credentials, Program Updates Announced

Next application period opens April 1^st

Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, today announced the results of the January round of TechCred, which will provide the opportunity for Ohioans to earn nearly 5,000 technology-focused credentials.

The most recent TechCred application period closed at the end of January. Today, 384 Ohio employers were approved for funding, resulting in Ohio employees earning up to 4,736 technology-focused credentials. The January round was record-setting, as almost 100 more employers were approved, in addition to more credentials being approved, than the previously most successful round.

With the approvals announced today, a total of 1,168 Ohio employers have been approved for funding, supporting the earning of 19,841 tech-focused credentials by Ohio employees.

Starting with the April round, the following updates have been implemented to further streamline the program:

The length of the grant will be reduced from 18 months to 12 months from the award date.
Training programs must start on or after the date of the award, not before, and must be completed in less than 12 months.
Training providers are no longer eligible to receive reimbursement for employees trained in-house. If a training provider wishes to utilize TechCred to upskill their employees, they must use an external training provider.

The next TechCred application period opens Thursday, April 1^st and closes April 30^th at 3:00 p.m. Businesses with employees who have completed their TechCred training should submit proof of credential completion to receive reimbursement at TechCred.Ohio.gov.

You can learn more about the program at TechCred.Ohio.gov.

Understanding Operating Costs

A webinar for businesses that have been

in business at least 3 years:

April 7th, 2021

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT

Knowing how to manage money is a vital part of running a successful small business. The good news we can help with tools to help teach you! Join the SBA, the Ohio Women's Business Centers, SCORE, Focus CFO, and Apprisen for the Money Management series, a weekly virtual financial literacy course for small businesses. Each week you'll learn about different financial fundamentals, including operating costs, pricing, cash flow, and credit. The sessions run for four weeks, with each module lasting 90 minutes.

The first webinar takes place on Wednesday, April 7th at noon. Special presenter is Raven Simon , CPA, Cincinnati Women's Businesses Center.

The course is free but spots are limited, so register today!

Look for upcoming events in this series for established small businesses:

April 14th Pricing

April 21st Cashflow

April 28th Credit

Calling All Farmers!

AAA7 Recruiting Farmers to Participate in

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

USDA Rural Development is seeking applications for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

In brief, the USDA Rural Development REAP program is designed to assist rural, small, for-profit businesses and agricultural producers install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. These types of improvements can help eligible applicants control energy costs and improve the overall profitability of their operations. The grant program can cover up to 25% of the eligible project costs or $500,000, whichever is less. The loan guarantee can cover up to 75% of the eligible project costs. Federal participation cannot exceed 75% of eligible project costs.

Grants can range from $1,500 to $500,000 with loan guarantees up to $25,000,000. The next application deadline is March 31, 2021, for projects requesting grants of up to $500,000.

In previous years, this program has helped farmers replace grain dryers; fans and lights for livestock operations; and install solar PV arrays to help offset electrical consumption. Small businesses have benefited through high efficiency lighting; improvements to HVAC systems; and the installation of a renewable energy system to help offset electrical consumption.

Examples of the assistance provided in recent years include:

A grant for $28,556 to assist a North Central Ohio farm implement dealership install a 48kW roof mounted solar array which offsets almost 40% of the company’s annual electrical usage. The expected annual electrical cost savings for the company will exceed $7,100.

A grant for $24,750 to assist a Northeastern Ohio dairy farmer replace an outdated and inefficient milk bulk tank and the related compressor and cooling systems. The anticipated energy saved will exceed 65% while the estimated financial payback will be less than 5 years based upon the energy savings alone.

A grant for $26,044 to assist a farmer in Western Ohio replace an outdated and inefficient grain dryer. The expected energy savings will provide a return on this investment of less than 8 years.

Who may apply for this program?

• Agricultural producers with at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations.

• Small businesses in eligible rural areas.

NOTE: Agricultural producers and small businesses must have NO outstanding delinquent federal taxes, debt, judgment or debarment.

NOTE: Residential renewable energy systems and residential energy efficiency improvements are not eligible for assistance even if the residence is a part of the farming operation or the small rural business.

Additional information and application materials can be found at: Rural Energy for America Program. Please contact Randy Monhemius, email Randy.Monhemius@usda.gov phone 614-255-2424 if interested in discussing a specific project or in receiving an application for your project.

Randel Monhemius, Business Program Specialist

USDA/ Rural Development

200 North High Street, Room 507

Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: 614-255-2424

Fax: 855-560-0058

Randy.Monhemius@usda.gov

www.rd.usda.gov

“Committed to the future of rural communities”