At Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry

Monthly Archives: August 2010

City of Salem’s Business Loans and Grants

By Chemeketa SBDC

Do you own a business in the Riverfront-Downtown Urban Renewal Area, the North Gateway Urban Renewal Area or West Salem Urban Renewal Area? Are you looking for low-interest loans or grants to enhance your business? If so, the City of Salem’s Urban Renewal Agency is offering loans and matching grants that might be just what you are looking for. Check out the following:

Downtown:

Downtown “Tool Box” Loan Program For an application, click here.
Downtown “Tool Box” Exterior Grant Program
Downtown “Tool Box” Interior Grant Program

For an application to the above grant programs, click here.

For more information, contact Todd Klocke at 503-588-6178 ext. 7535

North Gateway:

North Gateway Commercial Loan For an application, click here.
North Gateway – Interior Building Rehabilitation/Restoration Grant
North Gateway – Exterior Building Rehabilitation/Restoration Grant

For an application to the above grant programs, click here.

For more information, contact Jill Corcoran at 503-588-6178 ext. 7549

West Salem:

West Salem “Toolbox” Exterior Building Grant Program For an application, click here.

For more information, contact Annie Gorski at 503-588-6178 ext. 7555

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Do You Make Handcrafted Goods for Sale? Do You Want to Expand Your Market?

By Chemeketa SBDC

If so, the ever expanding global marketplace has carved out a space for you. Online handmade goods websites with options for marketing and selling your wares are becoming more popular and more user friendly. Sites like ETSY, Artfire, and 1000 Markets (U.S. made only), make it easier for you to reach more potential customers and create connections with other crafty business owners.

SBDC client, Theresa Douglas, started her business UptownAvenue in June 2009 and has been using ETSY as a way to build business. “It’s wonderful,” Douglas said. “It’s easy to use and easy to communicate with customers.”

Because ETSY has a built in customer base and name recognition, it’s a good option for people just getting started or wanting to expand. Still, even with ETSY’s popularity, users have to know how to market themselves. “People need to get involved on the forums (on ETSY),” Douglas noted. “It can be hard to get noticed.” Douglas and her daughter are learning the ropes and have found ETSY to be a good way to build business. “You can be as busy as you want to be (on ETSY),” Douglas explained. “The toughest part is figuring out the shipping. Getting a good postal guide will help.”

Check out Uptown Avenue’s ETSY sites at www.UptownAvenue.etsy.com and www.UptownVintage.etsy.com

For information on other online handmade goods sites, see the article 10 Great Websites to Buy Handmade Goods.

Posted in Marketing Ideas, Start-up | 1 Comment »