“Entrepreneurship is a viable career alternative for dislocated workers,” said Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director of the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, small businesses produced the largest amount of employment in 2010, generating 72.1 percent of net new positions.”

The Workforce Investment Board is partnering with Empact (www.iempact.com) to provide the training necessary to start a business with little start-up capital. Attendees will learn how to develop their business inexpensively while creating enough profit to earn a living wage.

The training requires a one-year commitment. Each participant will receive a full-day of training followed by weekly trainings for the first month, and monthly virtual trainings for the remainder of the year. Each participant will be assigned a mentor to support them throughout the program.

“Entrepreneurship is vital to San Bernardino County’s economic growth and prosperity,” said Josie Gonzales, San Bernardino County Chair and Fifth District Supervisor. “I encourage residents who are thinking of starting their own businesses to take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn proven, real life tools shared by successful entrepreneurs.”

To apply, San Bernardino County residents may visit one of the three Employment Resource Centers to take the assessment. To find the nearest location, please visit www.sbcstartup.com or call (800) 451-JOBS.

About the Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County:
The Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County is comprised of private business representatives and public partners appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. The Board strives to strengthen the skills of the County’s workforce through partnerships with business, education and community-based organizations.

The Workforce Investment Board, through the County’s Economic Development Agency and Department of Workforce Development, operates the County’s Employment Resource Centers (ERCs) and Business Resource Centers (BRCs). The ERCs provide individuals with job training, placement and the tools to strengthen their skills to achieve a higher quality of life. The BRCs support and provide services to the County’s businesses including employee recruitment.

News Source: Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

The competition will accept preliminary submissions until May 31, 2012. Preliminary submissions can be made online at http://made2012.istart.org or by going to the http://www.mvcaa.net/index.cfm?Page=MADE.

Participants start by answering a questionnaire about their business ideas, and are provided with tips and suggestions on how to make their businesses better in the first round. Those who advance to final round will present their finished business plans, products, and services in one last round at the Missouri State Fair on August 16, 2012 in Sedalia, Missouri.

Cash grants will be awarded as startup/operating capital to winners of the final round which is held during the State Fair. Judging at all levels will take place behind closed doors, and all information is regarded as confidential and proprietary and will not be shared with outside parties.

Registration is open to any potential business owner or current business owner in operation three years or less. There are Youth and Open categories for participation, and people considering going into business for the first time are welcomed. Participants do not have to be in business yet to compete.

Electronic submissions for the preliminary level are due by 5 p.m. May 31, 2012. Mailed submissions must be postmarked by that date. Judging of the first round will occur the second week of June and participants will be notified of the results by June 22.

The Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship (MADE) is a project facilitated by Missouri Valley Community Action Agency of Marshall, Missouri, a not-for-profit organization.

Missouri Valley Community Action Agency, 1415 S. Odell, Marshall, MO 65340. Online: http://www.mvcaa.net .

News Source: Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

“Based on 2010 census data, states are redistricting jurisdiction boundaries,” says Mitchell Pearce, CEO of Online Image. “Redistricting has reshaped the U.S. political landscape. Districts are gaining and losing addresses. As the 2012 elections approach, our redistricted congressional and state legislative district products and services ensure accurate district-to-address matching that is mission critical for political and advocacy campaigns.”

The new district data products and services are generated by www.USgeocoder.com – the flagship product of Online Image. USgeocoder is a Geographic Information System (GIS) that uses proprietary algorithms to cross-walk various databases and generate the most accurate jurisdictions. USgeocoder is the only service that achieves greater than 99 percent accuracy even when no publicly available map exists for an address.

Online Image has been closely monitoring the redistricting process in each state. USgeocoder integrates the state’s new district definitions with precise GIS data and the latest postal data to produce new district information. It updates its data files as often as the states and USPS update their files.

Online Image makes the new congressional and state legislative district data available by 9 digit zip code, address range, shape file, and Census Block Assignment File. USgeocoder can use this data to match existing large address files to new districts and show new districts with custom address data on maps. Voter registration data can be appended to addresses and the maps to create precinct canvassing routes, call lists, and email lists.

Online Image can also convert phone lists to address lists and then batch process them to match to any representative district all the way down to municipal and school board districts.

For more about the new district data products and services, visit http://usgeocoder.com/datafiles_overview .

About Online Image:
Based in San Jose, California, Online Image specializes in GIS data processing and mapping, advocacy management, custom web programming, and business management. Learn more at: http://www.OnlineImage.biz .

USgeocoder (www.USgeocoder.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Online Image, provides best-in-class affordable geocoding solutions for political district, mailing delivery; and census statistics data and mapping needs. It is a customized GIS application that serves political campaigns, lobbying and advocacy, government, sales tax compliance, and marketing organizations.

News Source: Online Image :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

These Fresno businessmen and women will be on hand to tell their stories at the press conference. These businesses have been neglected and abused by the City and County of Fresno as well as the High-Speed Rail Authority. Also scheduled to speak is John Broeske, Executive Director of Families Protecting the Valley.

The lost revenue to the city and county of Fresno will be in the tens of millions of dollars. This is revenue that the city and county rely upon for essential services for all citizens. One business represented pays over a million dollars monthly in sales tax alone. Another Fresno business pays the county over a million dollars annually for truck licensing fees. These direct losses of tax base do not include similar losses from each and every employee.

The number of employees lost is another unreported issue. Many of the companies effected will be leaving Fresno altogether – many to other counties and several to other states. It will be nearly impossible to relocate these businesses to locations with similar freeway access inside of Fresno.

The displacement costs on top of the lost revenue will never adequately replace the active business dollars these businesses have built over generations of being in the right location. Eminent domain seizure of these properties is already planned by the High-Speed Rail Authority and the only recourse of these businesses may be a class-action lawsuit that could tie up the project for years.

WHAT – WHEN – WHERE:
“Mayday! Mayday! Stop the Train.”
100 Fresno Businesses Opposed to High Speed Rail;
Tuesday May 1st;
At Klein’s Truck Stop;
(Herndon and Freeway 99);
12 noon (Lunch Served).

Here is a partial list of Fresno businesses who have signed a letter against high-speed rail:
Fresno Commercial Neon
John R Lawson Trucking
Thermo-King
La Quinta Inn
Discount Tire
Subway
Bob’s Mini-Storage
Riverside Nursery
The Cosmopolitan Restaurant
Dustin Pest Control
Klein’s Truck Stop
Fresno Rescue Mission
Romo’s Towing
Allied Waste
A&R Transmission
Yukon Jack’s
Rosenbaum Rockery
United RV Storage
Bulldog Recycling
Valley National Express.

More information: http://centralvalleyteaparty.com .

News Source: Central Valley Tea Party :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

These Fresno businessmen and women will be on hand to tell their stories at the press conference. These businesses have been neglected and abused by the City and County of Fresno as well as the High-Speed Rail Authority.

The lost revenue to the city and county of Fresno will be in the tens of millions of dollars. This is revenue that the city and county rely upon for essential services for all citizens. One business represented pays over a million dollars monthly in sales tax alone. Another Fresno business pays the county over a million dollars annually for truck licensing fees.

These direct losses of tax base do not include similar losses from each and every employer. The number of employees lost is another unreported issue. Many of the companies effected will be leaving Fresno altogether – many to other counties and several to other states. It will be nearly impossible to relocate these businesses to locations with similar freeway access inside of Fresno.

The displacement costs on top of the lost revenue will never adequately replace the active business dollars these businesses have built over generations of being in the right location. Eminent domain seizure of these properties is already planned by the High-Speed Rail Authority and the only recourse of these businesses may be a class-action lawsuit that could tie up the project for years.

Here is a partial list of Fresno businesses who have signed a letter against high-speed rail:
Fresno Commercial Neon
John R Lawson Trucking
Thermo-King
La Quinta Inn
Discount Tire

Subway
Bob’s Mini-Storage
Riverside Nursery
The Cosmopolitan Restaurant
Dustin Pest Control

Klein’s Truck Stop
Fresno Rescue Mission
Romo’s Towing
Allied Waste
A&R Transmission

Yukon Jack’s
Rosenbaum Rockery
United RV Storage
Bulldog Recycling
Valley National Express

WHAT – WHEN – WHERE:
“Mayday! Mayday! Stop the Train”
100 Fresno Businesses Opposed to High Speed Rail
Tuesday May 1st
At Klein’s Truck Stop
(Herndon and Freeway 99)
12 noon (Lunch Served).

More information: http://centralvalleyteaparty.com .

News Source: Central Valley Tea Party :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

The Office of Jefferson County Judge was awarded $45,000 from the Facilities for Underdeveloped Neighborhoods (FUN Park) Grant Program administered by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism and the Outdoor Recreation Grants Program. Designated to assist rural areas in developing basic neighborhood outdoor recreation facilities, the funding is made available by two sources, the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant & Trust Fund (NCRGTF). The ribbon cutting signifies the beginning of the construction of an accessible pavilion, basketball court, and playground. The ceremony will start the event at 10 a.m.

Judge Holcomb’s Office was also awarded a $292,000 grant from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security’s Fire Prevention & Safety Grant Program. Judge Holcomb partnered with the volunteer fire departments of the JCMAA and OEM to increase public awareness of fire safety through a smoke alarm campaign. The project consists of door-to-door distribution of smoke alarms as well as home safety inspections conducted by the volunteer fire fighters. $25,000 has gone directly to the departments to compensate their volunteers for their time and mileage expenses.

Fire Extinguisher Sales & Services will have “live fire” fire extinguisher safety demonstrations. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors will be given to attendees (as long as supplies last).

The event is sponsored by Jefferson County Judge Mike Holcomb, the Jefferson County Mutual Aid Association, and the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management.

Food and refreshments will be provided.

Sulphur Springs Park is located on Sulphur Springs Road (Highway 54) across the street from the Watson Chapel Volunteer Fire Department Station 1.

News Source: Judge Mike Holcomb :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

We are recruiting laid-off workers for this special program that provides no-fee job training and placement assistance in high demand industries in the county that have current job openings. This program is designed to benefit employers in many ways, including reimbursement of a substantial portion of wages paid to new hires from this program.

To date, over 700 individuals have signed up to take advantage of this opportunity. Space is still available now that the deadline to enroll has been extended to June 30, 2012. Interested employers and job seekers should contact us immediately by email at neg@css.lacounty.gov or visit our website at http://www.worksourcecalifornia.com .

“The California Multi-Sector Workforce Partnership addresses 123 mass layoffs in California that have affected over 32,000 workers in 19 industries statewide,” said Richard Verches, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board. “In Los Angeles County, we expect nearly 1,000 individuals to take advantage of job services paid for by this grant.”

This program will pay for laid-off workers to participate in On-the-Job Training, paid work experience, internships and customized training programs in order to increase their opportunities for employment, and the costs of equipment or transportation, depending upon one’s situation.

“The support of government is critical to meet the needs of and support local businesses that employ local residents,” said Mr. Verches. “Employers who participate in On-the-Job Training programs can receive recruiting support to locate well-qualified candidates and possible reimbursement for the wages of new employees.”

About the Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board:
The Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) is established by federal law as the oversight and policy body comprised of private business representatives, labor, higher education, government and non-profit partners who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The WIB funds 17 one-stop WorkSource Centers to provide employment and training services to residents and businesses in 58 of the County’s 88 cities and all 151 unincorporated areas throughout the County.

News Source: Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

“Almost 3 in 4 people over 65 will need long-term care at some point, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” he says. “But most don’t have a plan to pay for this care, meaning their close relatives could be hit hard in the pocketbook. That includes just about everybody.”

So far the candidates have been mute on the long-term care insurance (LTCI) issue, and it’s high time for them to speak out, according to Roeser. So, to gain attention, his organization launched a straw poll on March 26, 2012. It asked just one question:

* Which candidate (President Barack Obama or the Republican choice) is more likely to promote new federal incentives to help Americans afford private long-term care insurance?

About a third, 33 percent, picked President Obama, while two-thirds, 67 percent, picked the Republican candidate, whoever it might be. “If this reflects the feelings of the broad population,” says Roeser, “it could be a wake-up call for President Obama and his people. And it could be something the Republicans can make hay with.”

President Obama might have been seen as the champion of long-term care insurance, since his Affordable Care Act included a public option for LTCI, the CLASS Act. But in October, 2011, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that her department was halting implementation of CLASS since a way could not be found to make it self-sustaining. “Now we need to rely entirely on the private sector,” says Roeser, “but the government can still help by introducing new tax breaks or other incentives to make it easier for people to protect themselves.”

Both candidates have an equal opportunity to work with Congress to make it happen, Roeser asserts. “Both can and should state their intentions now and frequently during the campaign. Doing so can be good for the country, and who knows? It just might determine who makes it into the White House.”

The straw poll will be kept open right up until the presidential election on November 6, tracking change in voter sentiment. “It will be an interesting horse race,” says Roeser. “Will the Republican candidate stay way ahead, or will President Obama close the gap and maybe win by a nose?”

Votes may be cast at either of two locations: http://www.ltcfp.com/2012poll or http://ltcguild.ning.com/page/election-poll . After voting, the visitor may view the latest, updated percentages and find other information about the LTC issue.

The straw poll is supported by the Long Term Care Insurance Guild, the social network for LTCI and allied professionals.

LTCFP has more than 500 LTC specialists serving individuals and organizations in all parts of the nation. The company is a co-founder and sponsor of the “3 in 4 Need More” campaign, which seeks to alert Americans to the long-term healthcare crisis, and to multiply the number protected by long-term care planning.

News Source: LTC Financial Partners LLC :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

Bishamon Industries Corporation faced increased competition with their EZ Loader product, which could have translated to lost sales and lost jobs. With the introduction of the new model, they needed to make sure they could efficiently produce and deliver this product before the competition stepped in.

“The EZ Loader is our premier product and if we lost market share, it would cost us valuable employees,” Stone said.

CMTC came in and showed the company areas of improvement in assembly and welding. Employees were excited to share their ideas and work as a team with the consultant and executives for the good of the entire company.

“We’ve already seen growing sales for our new EZ Loader and the hard work has paid off,” Stone said. “By shipping our product in two days, we will maintain our competitive edge.”

Through the LEAN Manufacturing Program, Bishamon retained 10 jobs. Additionally, Stone also utilized the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board Business Resource Team to recruit and hire a shipping supervisor. “They found a great person for us who plays a very important role in satisfying our customers,” Stone said.

“The San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board’s LEAN Manufacturing program effectively helps local businesses retain employees and hire additional personnel,” said Josie Gonzales, San Bernardino County Chair and Fifth District Supervisor.

About the Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County:
The Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County is comprised of private business representatives and public partners appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. The Board strives to strengthen the skills of the County’s workforce through partnerships with business, education and community-based organizations.

The Workforce Investment Board, through the County’s Economic Development Agency and Workforce Development Department, operates the County’s Employment Resource Centers (ERCs) and Business Resource Centers (BRCs). The ERCs provide individuals with job training, placement and the tools to strengthen their skills to achieve a higher quality of life. The BRCs support and provide services to the County’s businesses including employee recruitment.

More information: https://www.csb-win.org/ .

News Source: Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

“If an organization wants its members to support a particular candidate, it must first know which members are in that candidate’s district. Due to recent state redistricting, more than 80 percent of the nation’s congressional districts have changed. Many voters are no longer in the same districts they were before. Our batch address process makes this discovery painless for organizations,” said Mitchell Pearce, CEO of Online Image.

The new district address batch matching is processed by USgeocoder, the flagship product of Online Image. USgeocoder determines the location of each address, identifies its census block, produces congressional district information, and returns the address file to the organization with district information appended. Using proprietary algorithms, USgeocoder achieves greater than 99.8 percent accuracy for new congressional district matching.

Online Image updates its data files as the U.S. Postal Service updates its address files and the states complete redistricting source data. As of today, based on source files currently available, USgeocoder batch processes addresses in 48 states and territories for new congressional district matching. Readers can check the progress on the remaining states by going to http://usgeocoder.com/redistricting_watch .

To learn more about address to congressional district matching, visit: http://usgeocoder.com/offer_data_processing .

About Online Image:
Based in San Jose, California, Online Image specializes in GIS data processing and mapping, advocacy management, custom web programming, and business management. Learn more at: http://www.onlineimage.biz/ .

USgeocoder (http://usgeocoder.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Online Image, provides best-in-class affordable geocoding solutions for political districts, mailing delivery, census geographies, demographics, statistics, address attribute appending, and mapping needs. It is a Geographic Information System (GIS) application designed to serve and assist political campaigns, lobbying and advocacy, government, sales tax compliance, and marketing organizations.

News Source: Online Image :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .