Strengthen Assist Expand Israel S. Dominguez, Director

The Business and Entrepreneurship Center at Cuesta College (BEC) program, an initiative of the Economic and Workforce Development Program through the California Community Colleges, is a network of Community College professionals working in strategic partnerships with businesses, industry and community organizations to identify and meet California's economic development needs in the areas of business improvements and entrepreneurship training.

The Business & Entrepreneurship Center (BEC) program supports local economic development corporations, chambers of commerce, community-based business outreach centers and other community-based organizations whose primary mission is to assist small businesses. Centers are strategically placed throughout California to serve you.

The Mission of the Business & Entrepreneurship Center at Cuesta College is to assist businesses and industry sectors in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, North Los Angeles Counties and surrounding areas to retain, or expand their businesses, create and/or retain jobs, thus strengthening the local economy, increasing wealth and quality of life.

Identify and meet California's economic development needs in the areas of business improvements and entrepreneurship training.

Provide, on an as needed basis, advanced business consulting services to established businesses, industry sectors, financial institutions, city and state agencies, and chambers of commerce in the following core areas: Marketing Strategies Operations Management Marketing Research Customer Service Strategic Planning E-commerce Growth and Investment Strategies Economic Research and Analysis Access to Capital Business and Contract Law Financial Analysis International Trade

Provide training solutions aimed at improving the management and stability of regional businesses to lead to increased number of new and retained jobs, sales, and investment. In this slide, I review some of the specific seminars, symposium, training events we host that have a direct impact on businesses and thus stimulate economic development http://academic.cuesta.edu/bec/Events.htm

Industries Served Each BEC targets specific industries in their region. The BEC at Cuesta College targets the following industries; agriculture, the wine industry, tourism, and specialized manufacturing (hi-tech & aerospace).

Tools & Resources http://academic.cuesta.edu/bac/Business_Planning.htm In this slide I give specific examples of tools available to established businesses and budding entrepreneurs as well as resources available to them were they can seek additional assistance http://academic.cuesta.edu/bac/Business_Planning.htm

Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Partners: Cuesta College Business Education Division College of the Canyons Santa Barbara City College Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Centers for Applied Competitive Technologies Centers for International Trade & Development U.S. Department of Commerce – Export Assistance Office Export - Import Bank of the Unites States USDA Farm Service Agency USDA Office of Technology Transfer ~ Ag Research Services Central California Environmental Training Center Area Chambers of Commerce In this slide I give specific examples of organizations in our regions that we either partner with and/or leverage resources to provide services to our clients and/or collaborate with in delivering our Youth Entrepreneurship Program

Thank You Israel S. Dominguez, Director