IRS increased tax rates mid year in 2011 to assist small biz owners

Ashlea Ebeling blogged about the new tax advantage for small business owners that goes into effect July 1, 2011.  http://blogs.forbes.com/ashleaebeling/2011/06/24/irs-helps-taxpayers-with-high-gas-prices/

The mileage rate for business purposes is 55.5 cents a mile, up from 51 cents a mile during the first half of 2011. The mileage rate for medical and moving expenses is 23.5 cents a mile, up from 19 cents a mile during the first half of 2011. The last time the IRS put in a mid-year increase was in 2008, when the business mileage rates went from 50.5 cents a mile to 58.5 cents a mile, and the rate for medical and moving purposes went from 19 cents a mile to 27 cents a mile.

South Fork hosts Business Seminar

Find out how you could start or move your business to this location in South Fork!




Doing Business in South Fork Seminar


July 11th, 2011  8:00a.m.-noon


Have you ever considered Starting your Own Business?

There is Opportunity for you in South Fork, CO!

The South Fork Chamber of Commerce Presents:

Doing Business in South Fork Seminar

When: Monday July 11th, 2011

8AM – NOON (FREE BREAKFAST)
Where: South Fork Community Building
Why: South Fork needs additional business and services

And has VACANT Commercial Properties

• Learn what businesses are needed

(bring your own ideas too)

• Learn what Commercial properties are For Sale or Lease

• Learn what it takes to do business in South Fork.

• Make a match!


Guest Speakers

Door Prizes

Free Breakfast

Questions and RSVP:

Chamber of Commerce Office 719-873-5556
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
No Franchises will be represented.


South Fork Community Center

AGENDA

Welcome Glynn Polter
Chamber President and SF Shop Owner

Starting a Small Business in San Luis Valley
Donna Wehe
Director – CO Small Bus Dev Center for San Luis Valley

Review Needed Businesses in South Fork
Glynn Polter

Break

Review Commercial Properties For Sale or Lease in South Fork
Connie Goodnight
Chamber Board Member and Realtor

Information you need to know about setting up a business in the Town of South Fork
Sharon Fairchild SF Town Clerk

Bill Matthews SF Town Manager
Useful information in setting up a business in South Fork

Kim Krahn
Chamber Board Member and SF Shop Owner
Close and Follow Up
Glynn

New Retail Business is For the Birds in Alamosa, Colorado

This story is for the birds. Cranes and Crows to be specific.

Lori and Joel Korngut, Adams State College Alumni, recently became new residents of Alamosa. Lori is the owner of a new retail store in downtown Alamosa and she invites you in for a field trip experience at the corner of Main and San Juan (701 Main Street, Alamosa, Colorado  81101).

Lori moved her business here from Albuquerque when Joel took on a job at Adams State College. They sell gifts, educational material, art, jewelry, t-shirts, puppets, children’s books & puzzles, bird feeders and bird seed…all around the nature/wildlife theme.

It’s an experience just to wander the store, as you browse through books, play with puppets and check out unique hummingbird feeders. Lori and Joel are bird watching aficionados and love to talk birding with other nature lovers.

This inviting retail store is open Monday-Saturday from 10-6. You might find the store open on Sundays if they are available. The phone number for the store is 589-1100 and they deliver bird seed in the Alamosa area.

They appreciate the assistance they received from Donna Wehe at the SLV Small Business Development Center, 589-3682, for marketing ideas, networking to events and artisans, and setting up their sales tax license and legal structure in Colorado.

Summer workshop series

1) Thursday, June 9, 7:30-9:00 a.m. Disaster Preparedness (physical and IT) for your business presented by Lisa Werts and Roger Jackson. At the Depot, Free to chamber members ($10 if not a chamber member)
2) QuickBooks™ Beginner Class , Thursday, June 16, 2011; 5:00-6:30 p.m. 610 State Avenue, At the Depot, upstairs, $20 per person; Presented by Donielle VanGieso
3) Tuesday, June 21: Google Places for your Business @ Monte Vista Information Center; 5:30-6:30 p.m. (Free)
4) Wednesday, July 20: Hire Your First Employee @ the Depot, Alamosa, 5:30-7:00 p.m. $20 (1/2 any SLV Chamber member), presented by Cindy Morin

Please Call Donna at 589-3682 to RSVP for any of these workshops

Disaster Preparedness Business over Breakfast Workshop

Business over Breakfast

Thursday, June 9, 2011

7:30-9:00 a.m.
Disaster Preparedness!

Presented by
Lisa Werts, Red Cross
and
Roger Jackson, IT specialist

How to prepare your business in case of a physical or technology disaster
Free to Alamosa Chamber Members
$10 for Non-chamber members
Continental Breakfast provided.
At the Depot, upstairs.

RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682 or donna@slv-sbdc.com

The San Luis Valley SBDC is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the
U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute and express or implied endorsement of any of the cosponsor(s)’ or participants’ opinions, products or services.

Leading Edge Graduation for Spring 2011

Nine San Luis Valley Business owners graduated from the spring Leading Edge Seminar (following the NxLevel Curriculum) on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 after 12 weeks of weekly meetings, creating their business plan and marketing material, and meeting with business consultants from the SLV SBDC.  The speakers were Eric and Lisa Burt from Kristi Mountain Sports who told their story of building a successful business in Alamosa, Colorado.

Several new businesses opened throughout the duration of this class:

Professional Bookkeeping Service Inc., Owners Kay Harmon and Cindy Morin, located in the Sunflower Bank building in Monte Vista.  (719) 850-3237.

Lopez Electric LLC, serving the entire region, (719) 588-6904."Performing the job right, the first time, on time and every time."

Valley Fire & Security of Colorado, LLC, NICET certified to bring you peace of mind.  Owner John Bradley, 719-480-4717.

Ronnie Lee Romero of All Aspects Roofing and Construction, (719) 580-0392, no job too big or small.

Fresh farm chicken or duck eggs can be purchased from Carla Yokely at White Pine Poultry, (719) 852-4466.

Jeaneen McLaren and Anna Libby are taking their homemade card making hobby to the next level and have created Heart-In-Hand Cards, an on-line business.  Stay tuned for their web-site so you can order homemade cards for your next special occasion. 719-849-8700.

New Store Opens in Del Norte, Colorado

Photo by Deanne Elliott

Val Dilley’s new business has a sunny entrance and she’ll welcome you with a sunny smile. Come on in to Flying Eagle Bison, located at 730 Grand Avenue, Del Norte, Colorado, to buy frozen, USDA approved bison meat, to browse and shop for gift items, or simply to admire the buffalo hides and learn more about buffalo.


Val has long dreamed of opening this store. She has managed the bison and sold the meat for years, first getting into the ranching business with her husband, Dale Dilley. He was an outfitter and all around Buffalo Guy. Flying Eagle Bison is in memory of “Buffalo Dundee”, as he was affectionately known. Val had been a nurse and office manager for years, and was ready for a change. She had thought she would open the shop at her home, where she has sold the meat for years, but wanted to be a part of downtown Del Norte and saw the value of being on Hwy 160. Seeing this building was available, and with support from her family and friends, she felt like the time was right to make her dream a reality. She has a good working relationship with other businesses in Del Norte and enjoys seeing the growing momentum of interest in businesses and services in the town.

The primary product in the store is the bison meat: roasts, briskets, steaks, ground meat, ribs, and stew meat are all available. The meat is 100% natural, with no growth hormones and antibiotic free. The bison are fed a combination of alfalfa, grass and potatoes, all grown locally. Bison, the “other red meat” is naturally flavorful and tender. It has a sweeter, richer taste; and many people say it is the most flavorful meat they have ever eaten. Nutritionally, bison meat has more protein and nutrients than many other meats, with fewer calories and less fat.

Val is primarily a rancher, owner of the Flying Eagle Bison Ranch, just outside of Del Norte. She does 95% of the ranch work herself. She manages the breeding of the animals and sells quality ranch raised breeding stock. The ranch is a member of the National Bison Association and a participant at the National Western Stock Show.

The bison meat is the focal product at the store, but Val also carries other merchandise relating to buffalo and specifically features items made by local artists. A painting by Karen Bonnie, “The Spirit of the Thunder” was newly unveiled at the grand opening of the store. You will also find mugs by “Always Azul Pottery” from Saguache; Charlie Ewing prints; soap made with buffalo tallow, photo cards of the San Luis Valley; and buffalo hide vests by Laurie 2 Dogs.

You will most likely find something new each time you visit as Val plans to continue adding more work by local artists. The sign outside the store was designed by Steve Crawford of Wildwood Sounds, in collaboration with Marian Rose, who designed the buffalo head. Val also works with the Local Foods Coalition to promote local products.

Val contacted Donna Wehe at the Small Business Development Center for help with legal entity, sales tax licensing and marketing in getting her business opened. The SBDC offers free and confidential counseling to those wishing to start, improve or expand their own business. Contact Donna at 719-589-3682 or www.coloradosbdc.org for more information or to request counseling services.

Stop in soon to see what treasure you might find at the Flying Eagle Bison store. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, from 9 to 5. For more information, call Val at 719-251-1176.