US Department of Labor launches a Veterans Hiring Toolkit for employers.
A new employer toolkit is now available on the Labor Department's “America's Heroes at Work” website. Filled with useful information on hiring veterans, the free toolkit is designed to assist and educate employers who want to include veterans and wounded warriors in their recruitment and hiring initiatives. Featuring a straightforward six-step process, it pinpoints helpful tools and outlines important steps to take when designing a veterans hiring initiative. “The launch of this toolkit is especially timely given the October observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy. “Disabled Veterans, including those experiencing 'invisible' wounds of war like traumatic brain injury and combat stress, are an important segment of the disability population that needs our support when transitioning to civilian employment.”

Interested in a loan? Buckeye Hills Hocking-Valley Regional Development District offers private business assistance through a Revolving Loan Fund. Learn more by clicking HERE.

The Logan-Hocking Chamber of Commerce provides an office to counselors of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to meet with businesses and individuals. The SBDC provides no-cost technical assistance to startup and existing companies. This assistance includes new information and knowledge as well as facilitating implementation by helping business owners implement new concepts and approaches to their business plan. For existing businesses, the SBDC Consultant works very closely with the owner and team to identify the company's problems and to identify strategies and recommendations for moving forward. Additional areas of SBDC assistance include:

• Cash Flow Management
• Forecasting
• Business Plan Development
• Targeted Marketing
• Sales Strategy
• Inventory Control
• Strategic Planning
• Operational and Financial Analysis

The SBDC hosts a variety of trainings and workshops throughout the year. If you would like to join the mailing list to receive event information, or to schedule a meeting with the SBDC for assistance, please contact Lissa Jollick, by phone (740.593.0473) or email.

Additional Help:
The Ohio Department of Development's Small Business Development Centers and the U.S. Small Business Administration sponsor the 1st Stop Business Connection. This program provides free state-level information needed to get started or continue on your entrepreneurial journey.

The SBDC also works closely with TechGrowth and TechColumbus, as well as other government programs to assist businesses steer through the maze of various programs that may be beneficial. Vast resources are also available at Central Ohio Entrepreneurs.