The SBA presents “The Employee Policy Handbook” on March 22, addressing the importance of creating an employee handbook and the basic legal issues employers face when hiring. Human resources is a critical component of employee well-being in any business, no matter how small. HR responsibilities include payroll, benefits, hiring, firing, and keeping up to date with state and federal laws. Presenting this session is Texas Workforce Solutions-Cameron. Discover and Learn: The…
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The SBA hosts “Business Marketing: Marketing Essentials for Your Business” as part of its free Let’s Talk Business Series on March 15. Marketing is a topic many entrepreneurs ponder as they begin shaping their business ideas. Marketing is a solution-driven process that benefits both the customer and the business owner. While advertising is essential, it is only a single component of the entire marketing process. A marketing plan is the…
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Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda is known for making the rounds of her city and dropping in on locally-owned small businesses. In mid-January, she made such a visit to The Reading Turtle. In the mayor’s words, it’s “a cozy bookstore” and where she made a pact with her young son. “I’ve made a deal with my son,” Sepulveda wrote on her Harlingen mayor Facebook page. “Every time he completes a book,…
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The City of Harlingen is the recipient of a federal award of $4.5 million for the modernization of the Air Traffic Control Tower at Valley International Airport. The ATP funds, allocated as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $1-billion distribution for Federal FY24, will be instrumental in the modernization and expansion of airport terminals and control towers, ensuring adherence to the most rigorous standards of safety, security and passenger service. …
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The Texas Valley Costal Bend VA will hold a free drive-thru food pantry for veterans on Feb. 22. The event takes place from 9-11 a.m., (or until supplies last, at the Harlingen Health Care Clinic at 2601 Veterans Drive. Eligible veterans must be enrolled in health care at the VA Texas Valley Costal Bend Health Care System and present a valid VA identification card to confirm their veteran status. Veterans are asked…
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Veterans bring unique skills, adaptability and problem-solving abilities to the business world, polished during military service. However, veterans face entrepreneurial start-up and growth challenges like all small business owners. To minimize those hurdles, the SBA offers support via our Boots to Business Reboot program (B2B Reboot). B2B Reboot on Feb. 15 is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The course provides an overview…
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“The Importance of a Business Plan,” presented by UTRGV Small Business Development Center on Feb. 9, provides information on the power of business planning and why it’s important to prepare a business plan. A good business plan guides you through each stage of starting and managing your business. You’ll use your business plan as a roadmap for how to structure, run and grow your new business. It’s a way to think…
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CEO of Harlingen Medical Center, Dr. Candi Constantine-Castillo, shares her journey during the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce’s Women Empowering Women luncheon on Feb. 1. Lunch will be provided, RSVP before Jan. 31st at 5 p.m. Registration is $15 for chamber members, $20 for non-members. RSVP by calling the chamber.
While starting a business is an exciting venture, it can be overwhelming and daunting to navigate without proper planning, understanding and execution. Understanding your tax obligation is one key to business success. Knowing how to avoid tax mistakes is imperative to your business. “Credits, Deductions and Taxes for your Business” on Jan. 26, presented by U.S. Internal Revenue Service, will help participants understand credits, taxes and deductions for their business. Session…
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Thinking about starting a small business, but have no idea where to start? Wondering if small business ownership is for you? Starting a business is an exciting proposition but it’s also an incredibly challenging undertaking. Are you an existing business and is your business needing to grow? Are you needing working capital to expand? Have you considered business certifications or government contracting? Join the SBA on Jan. 19 for “SBA…
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