Southern Indiana Avoids "Landmine" with BRAC Announcement
After months of uncertainty concerning the future of the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, officials in southern Indiana say this month’s news offers relief and an opportunity for economic growth. Crane is slated for realignment rather than closure. This means its workforce of 4,500 will remain largely intact, losing only about 650 jobs, if the plan is ultimately approved.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels says the state will now take its case to the BRAC Commission to try and save some of the jobs Crane is recommended to lose. However, he feels confident the state can add more jobs than it can lose even if the recommendations stand.

2005 Indiana Venture Conference
The Venture Club of Indiana is planning the Indiana Venture Conference, which will be held September 27-28, 2005 in downtown Indianapolis. This is the third time the Indiana Venture Conference has been held since it was established in 2002. This conference will feature many of Indiana’s strongest innovation-based ventures and entrepreneurs and encourage the kind of networking that is essential to creating a thriving culture of entrepreneurship in Indiana.

“Last year, the Indiana Venture Conference attracted 600 total registrants, including 200 attending investors from across the country, and we expect those numbers to rise at this year’s conference,” said 2005 Indiana Venture Conference chairman Jeff Kirk. “This event gives us a wonderful outlet to showcase some of Indiana's strongest investment opportunities to venture capitalists, service professionals, entrepreneurs and others involved in the venture funding lifecycle from throughout the United States.”

The first day of the conference is dedicated to highlighting specific entrepreneurial companies to investors and other attendees. This new format reflects the desire to involve as many companies from Indiana as possible and promote more interaction between attendees of the conference. Please mark your calendar for September 27-28 and check the conference website for updates.

New Law Requires Shredding of Employee Information
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that about 10 million Americans have been victims of identity theft. In an effort to crack down on this growing crime, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act went into effect June 1st. It requires employers—even people who hire a nanny and pay the employee's Social Security—to shred documents that contain a worker's personal information. Companies such as banks, real estate agents and car dealers also have to secure or destroy a consumer's personal information.

South Central Indiana's area economy is made up of many unique small businesses which often are overlooked. Each month learn about a local small business that you might have not known about!

Susanna Italiana
Nestled in her studio in Bloomington, Indiana, with Italian tools in hand, Susan Snyder’s designs and work remain inspired by both her professional ceramic training in Faenza, Italy and at home. Susan is a ceramic artist who produces pottery inspired by Italian designs from the 13th to 18th centuries. Susan found a love and talent for the centuries'-old Italian maiolica process while studying art history at the Universita di Bologna during her junior year abroad. ("Maiolica," pronounced m - 'yal-i-ke, is the Italian spelling, with "Majolica," pronounced m - 'jal-i-k, being Spanish.)In crafting this painted maiolica pottery, she uses Italian methods and colors, and finds inspiration in elaborate floral, fruit, celestial, animal, and geometric designs from 13th-18th century Italy. But she also stays true to herself, creating her own whimsical pottery with contemporary, light-hearted themes. Making her complete line lead-free, food-safe, dishwasher-friendly as well, Susan perfectly blends modern needs with the beauty and tradition of Italian ceramics. Contact Susan at 812-336-8797 to find out where you can find her pottery.

NEW: Market Research Reports
Wouldn't you like to know where the best location is for your new retail venture? Or how much untapped business potential there is around your existing business?

The South Central Indiana Small Business Development Center is now offering customized market research reports for small businesses. Over 25 different reports are available, helping you to:

• Analyze trade areas
• Identify prime locations
• Leverage untapped business potential
• Better understand your customer base
• Optimize your marketing investments

Reports are completely customized to suit your business's needs! for information or call her directly at 812-339-8937.

View More Small Business Solutions

June 1: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS)
What: Learn what it takes to start your own business and become your own boss.
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Cost: $20
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

June 3: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: NENR is a series of video conference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: Ivy Tech State College, Room 209
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

June 15: Icebreakers :: GET CONNECTED
What: Bloomington's new after-hours networking event for entrepreneurs' tech-based businesses.
Topic: SBIR/STTR Grants
Where: Grazie Italian Eatery, 106 West 6th St.
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: inVenture, 812-335-7356

June 15: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS)
What: Learn what it takes to start your own business and become your own boss.
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Cost: $20
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

June 16: Business After Hours
What: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours
Where: Old National Bank, 2718 E. 3rd Street
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Sponsored by: Old National Bank

June 28: Artists After Hours
What: Bloomington Area Arts Council Artists After Hours
Topic: Working with the local media
Where: John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut Street
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm

July 1: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: NENR is a series of video conference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: Ivy Tech State College, Room 209
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

• Sample Business Plans, Cash Flow Reports, & Employment Forms

• Entrepreneur's Alliance of Indiana

• Monroe County GIS Online

How to Manage and Motivate Your Part-Time Employees
Part-time employees can play a valuable role in a small business. They can help you deal with variations in workload without having to hire a full-time employee. And often, because they’re looking for a job that requires fewer hours, you can find a person with above-average skills for the position.

But part-timers can turn into a liability if not managed well. You could end up with poorly motivated workers, unsure of their duties, unfamiliar with the company, and unsure who they report to. Here are a few tips to prevent this situation.

• Think before you hire.
• Communicate clearly with the part-timer.
• Communicate clearly with your full-time staff.
• Make the part-timer feel like part of the company.
• Monitor part-timers' progress.

With attention to these points, you can make hiring a part-time employee a winning decision for your company.