Did you know that more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business? And according to the Small Business Administration, these small and often family-owned companies “create about 2 out of every 3 new jobs in the U.S. each year.”
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has read a proclamation for National Small Business Week highlighting the importance of small businesses and entrepreneurs as outlets for ingenuity and creativity, job creation, and economic stimulus.
We’re lucky here in northern Colorado; the Fort Collins area has a vibrant and thriving small business community with exceptional local support. And one of the biggest supporters is Poudre River Public Library District!
In fact, serving our small business owners, developers, and startups is one of our primary goals, and not just during National Small Business Week (April 30-May 6).
Here are just a few ways the Library District is helping local small businesses get off the ground and succeed.
- Offering free research services for all stages of the startup lifecycle
- Providing industry, demographic, and competitive analysis research
- Connecting you to digital resources for business-critical data and reports
- Assisting with business plan information
- Identifying key demographic information
- Developing prospective customer lists
- Scheduling one-on-one consultations with our Business and/or Nonprofit Librarians to discuss specific needs
- Providing business-focused workshops, presentations, and classes
- Lending current and useful business-related books, magazines, and other materials
- Offering private meeting rooms and collaboration rooms
- Teaching free computer skills and technology classes
- Partnering with community organizations and agencies like the Larimer County Small Business Development Center to boost small business development
Stop by one of the library locations during #SmallBusinessWeek for information about our dedicated small business and entrepreneur services as well as to browse our digital and print resources including research databases and business books.
You can also access information and resources online through the Business Center webpage or the Nonprofit Center webpage on the Library District’s website, sign up for our Business or Nonprofit eNewsletter. Or contact the Answer Center at 970-221-6740.
Looking for other great community resources to get started with your small business?
Our friends at the Larimer County SBDC are holding a number of workshops around startup basics and business literacy coinciding with Small Business Week. You can register for these fee-based classes on their website.
- 5/2 – Marketing Strategy for Success
- 5/4 – QuickBooks (Desktop Version) 3-Part Series
- 5/4 – So You Want to Start a Business
- 5/5 – 3 Ways Financial Information Can Make Your Business Thrive
Happy National Small Business Week to all of our local business owners and entrepreneurs, and good luck to those of you just getting started!
We can’t wait to meet you at the library!