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Part of the new Tompkins County Microenterprise Assistance Program
Please join the Tompkins Chamber Foundation and Tompkins Cortland Community College for an eight-week entrepreneurial training course for entrepreneurs.
This course is for microenterprise business owners with five or less employees including themselves; it is for both startups and existing microenterprises who wish to write a new business plan/develop a project for completion in 2022. PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING, and also review this page on the Chamber's website.
Projects can include establishing new businesses or expanding existing businesses. If participants complete this course, and write a business plan which is feasible to execute, they may be eligible for grant funding through the Tompkins County Microenterprise Grant Program (significant specific criteria apply regarding eligibility; grant funds can be used for furniture, fixtures, equipment, inventory, and working capital; projects cannot include construction). **Low- and moderate- income persons (LMI) or those planning to create jobs available to LMI are encouraged to apply to participate in this program; one of these eligibility requirements must be met to be considered for funding.**
The program seeks to support rural microenterprise development throughout Tompkins County, with a focus on historically disadvantaged populations, minority and woman owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and supporting rural downtown revitalization, agricultural or tourism based businesses, childcare businesses, and other key industries needing support and development in Tompkins County.
Participants will learn the following in the program:
Developing an entrepreneurial mindset for success
Creating your idea/solving your customers? problems
Financing opportunities available
Identifying your target market
Researching your competition
Legal, insurance and tax issues
Accounting and financial statements
Distribution methods and supply concerns
Marketing vehicles
Management/Leadership practices
Human resource requirements
How to create a professional business plan
To pass this program you must:
- Participate in the course, and attend at least 7/8 sessions OR 6/8 sessions plus additional session with instructor.
- Complete any assignments given by the instructor prior to the following class.
- Complete your draft business plan for a new/expanding or "hypothetical" business by the completion of the course.
THIS COURSE IS FULL, AND HAS A WAIT LIST. REGISTRATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.
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Recurring Events
Business After Hours
Business After Hours is our premier networking event where you can connect with dozens of Chamber members, community leaders, and potential clients. Network with professionals across the region to exchange contact details, discuss current industry trends, and generate sales leads in an informal setting.
Networking at Noon
Each month, members enjoy lunch with Chamber members while meeting new people, expanding their networking, and learning more about our diverse base of businesses and organizations in Tompkins County. Our goal is to enhance opportunities for our members to share what’s new and exciting in their workplace, discover new customers, and create meaningful connections that lead to lasting business relationships.
Community Conversations
Tompkins Chamber hosts community-specific conversations throughout the county, offering a space for businesses and leaders in our smaller municipalities to convene for hyper-local networking, conversation, mentorship, and advocacy. These events will serve as a forum for the Chamber to engage businesses who rarely attend Ithaca-based events and allow us to better understand and support the unique needs of each community.
L.E.A.R.N.
The L.E.A.R.N. professional development series is designed to give Chamber members access to tools and resources that will help them grow and strengthen their businesses. The series is made up of workshops relevant to the themes of Leadership, Equity, Action, Resilience, and Navigation.
Participants in this series enjoy the following benefits:
- Access to qualified, knowledgeable, and experienced presenters
- Clearly defined course objectives
- Relevant and timely topics
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training Series
To aid Chamber Members’ desire to cultivate diverse, equitable, and Inclusive (DEI) workplaces, a group of experienced facilitators are partnering with the Tompkins Chamber to host a webinar series. The series has the added benefit of introducing Chamber members to local consultants and facilitators who can assist their respective businesses and organizations to develop strategic DEI plans, conduct follow up workplace trainings, and assist in recruitment/retention strategies for a diverse workforce.
Roundtable Series
Roundtables are free & for Chamber Members only.
Women in Business Roundtable
Open to all women and those who identify as female from within the Chamber’s membership base, this group includes small business owners, nonprofit leaders, managers, and women in all types of roles discussing work-life balance, gender in the workplace, and more through facilitated discussion and activities, or open sharing.
Small Business Roundtable
All Small Businesses with less than 50 employees from within the Chamber’s membership are welcome to join our Small Business Roundtable discussions. A mix of topic based and speaker facilitated discussions are blended with general roundtable sharing, mentorship, and brainstorming to result in connections and deliver information to keep moving area small businesses forward.
CEO Roundtable
CEO level discussion including leaders from the area’s largest employers and institutions, as well as area nonprofit executive directors, meet quarterly to provide important updates and discuss key community and economic concerns.
Featured Annual Events
Economic Summit
The Tompkins Chamber presents key local issues impacting local businesses and developers, policy issues impacting the business community, and local insights from participants in a national economic outlook survey. Partnering with Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED), the event includes important updates about our economy, workforce, upcoming projects, and strategies to move forward and achieve a sustainable economic recovery.
Annual Dinner & Awards
One of the premier business community events of the year, the Annual Meeting highlights the Chamber community and previews the goals and initiatives for the coming year. Come and celebrate the success of our business community and economic development with hundreds of local leaders and elected officials! Join us as we raise a glass to the companies, not-for-profits, and volunteers who partner with us to help our community thrive.
Golf Tournament
This day on the green combines top-notch golf with valuable networking and advertising opportunities. Held at one of the County’s finest and professionally-rated golf courses. Staggered start golf tournament with several prizes, including skins. Lunch and beverages provided.
Great Big Chamber Auction
See and be seen by the region’s top business executives and small business owners. The Great Big Chamber Thank You & Auction holds tremendous value to our sponsors, donors, and attendees as it is one of our most highly publicized and attended events. The Great Big Chamber Auction portion helps underwrite the events and programs that support our Chamber members. Traditional silent and live auction, networking, and nonprofit recognition awards.