Jan 21, 2017 5 min read

The University of Pittsburgh’s Small Business Development Center wants to help area miners displaced by the coal industry downturn find new careers by starting businesses of their own.

”Mining Your Business,” a new course from Pitt’s SBDC, which begins March 1 in the Pennsylvania CareerLink office at 90 W. Chestnut St., is aimed at anyone exploring and evaluating the possibility of starting a small business, including dislocated coal industry-related workers and family members.

“It’s primarily for those people who have in some way been dislocated from the coal and gas industry,” said Michael Wholihan, an SBDC management consultant, who said all applicants are welcome.

The free six-class series covers the basics of starting a business, including writing a business plan, financial requirements for running a business, managing operations and human resources, marketing to capture customers as well as selling yourself and your business.

Wholihan explained that the course is offset by a $500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER initiative aimed at revitalizing Southwestern coal-impacted communities.

In addition to SBDC, CareerLink and ARC, the program has the support of Southwest Training Services Inc., the Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board and Pennsylvania PREP Southwest, which focuses on regional economic performance.

The sessions are held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on March 1,14 and 29 and April 5, 19 and May 3. Those who sign up must attend all six sessions and complete assignments, but Wholihan stressed that completion of those requirements is just the beginning.

Those who launch a business will be assisted by an SBDC counsellor along the way.

“We make sure that this is sustainable,” Wholihan said.

Running concurrently with the “Mining Your Business” introductory program is a second SBDC program ”Planning for Profits.” Also funded through the ARC, it is also free of charge and is offered at 90 W. Chestnut St. It is directed to more experienced entrepreneurs in the area whose small businesses are already up and running, but who are looking to expand.

The six-session course, begins March 16 and runs every other week through May 25. Topics include ways to generate and improve cash flows; identifying distribution channels for new sales; designing a strategic path and setting measurable goals; creating a comprehensive business model; a review of the company’s website and social media research and developing strategies to overcome barriers.

There’s solid evidence that the SBDC training helps people who are serious about starting and growing a business.

Wholihan said a pilot version of “Planning for Profits” held in Charleroi in the fall produced 24 graduates.

Registration is required for either program, both of which have limited seating. Registration can be completed by e-mailing iee@innovation.pitt.edu or calling 412-648-1542.

PA CareerLink Washington County, in partnership with the Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Tri-County Oil & Gas Expo Committee, will sponsor the Washington County Job Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 15 at American Legion Post 175, 168 Park Ave.

The event, to be the first of what planners say will be an annual offering, is being organized to provide a resource connecting job seekers with employers hiring to fulfill workforce needs of Washington County and surrounding areas.

Companies and other organizations interested in participating are asked to register with PA CareerLink. For more information, contact Carl North at cnorth@pa.gov or at 724-470-2116.

The Southpointe CEO Association, which advances the interests of businesses and business people located within Southpointe and Southpointe II, has launched a new website, www.southpointe-ceo.org. The organization, which is conducting its annual membership drive, includes executive leadership as well as employees in the Cecil Township business park, with educational and social events intended for all employees of member organizations, including scheduled events, peer-to-peer networking, CEO Chairman’s forums; and seminars and training.

Applications for membership can be downloaded at the new website. For additional information, contact Executive Director Stephanie Urchick at sptceo@verizon.net or at 724-747-5055.

Salene Mazur Kraemer has joined the Southpointe office of Bowles Rice as an attorney.

Kraemer focuses her practice on creditors’ rights and bankruptcy law, business and corporate transactions, financial services litigation and commercial and banking law. Over the course of her career, she has worked on complex multimillion dollar matters including corporate and commercial bankruptcy work for creditors, and has provided counsel on issues relating to tax modifications, business formation, financing and general corporate matters for small to large businesses.

She was named a Rising Star in the fields of Business Law and Bankruptcy by West Virginia Super Lawyers magazine, and has served as a panelist for various conferences including the American Bankruptcy’s Institute’s Mid-Atlantic Conference.