Happy Holidays!
The inVenture, Small Business Development Center and SEED Corp. staff wishes you a Happy Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year!

Brian Kleber, Terri Brown, Tim Kinder, Manasi Watts & Jessica Dzieweczynski

Expo 2007 Booth Registration Begins Soon!
The Bloomington Business EXPO is South Central Indiana’s largest one-day annual business event, presented by the Small Business Development Center and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Join the team and take to the field at this year’s Business EXPO and you will be on your way to scoring big with new customers. Each year more than 150 area business professionals and community members gather at the Convention Center to showcase new products and services. This one day event averages over 3,000 customers; imagine these customers walking through your doors in one single day!

The 2007 Business Expo exhibitor registration starts January 22nd at 8am. To learn more on how you can reserve your booth, call 812-339-8937 today and join in for the greatest one-day business event of 2007.

Genius Groups :: Bloomington's Small Business Network
Starting in early 2007 the South Central Indiana Small Business Development Center and inVenture will present the second annual Genius Groups, a 6-part entrepreneurial development series that will challenge and energize 35 select small business owners.

Each month attendees will have the chance to learn from and network with the inspiring Genius Entrepreneurs of Indiana. They will gain a fresh perspective on real-world challenges and relevant tools to help you explore new business horizons.

The monthly session will be filled with ideas and support you can use to take your business to the next level. The Genius Entrepreneur will cover a specific business topic, including how to increase sales, implement unique and effective human resources, develop targeted marketing strategies, preparing your company to sell, and much more.

For more information on how you can be a part of this select group please contact the Small Business Development Center at 812-339-8937.

Monroe County Public Library Ranks 2nd in Country
Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) is the second best in its size category, according to an organization that ranks public libraries across the nation.

Hennen's American Public Library Ratings ranks the top 10 public libraries in the nation in five population categories. The Monroe County Public Library is in the category of libraries that serve 100,000 to 249,999 people, which is the third largest category.

The Monroe County Public Library offers a variety of services and resources, and is also a great assets to the business community as well. MCPL offers assistance with starting a business, running a business, and investing wisely. Learn more about different services and sources MCPL offers for the business community.

The ranking comes at a time when the library is working on developing a new comprehensive strategic plan. For more information, see the complete article.

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!

Twisted Limb Paperworks
Twisted Limb Paperworks, LLC is a nine year old company founded by Sheryl Woodhouse-Keese. The art studio, situated on ten acres of woods and field in NW Monroe County, creates handmade 100% recycled seed paper from used office paper, grocery bags, and grass from their field, and transforms it into colorful and distinctive invitations for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and business events.

Part of the fun of Twisted Limb is all of the choices. The company offers 28 handmade paper colors, 5 manufactured 100% PCW recycled card stock and envelope colors (a larger selection than the national chains), 15 invitation styles in several sizes, and a bountiful array of bow materials, stitching, graphics, fonts and print colors. With this many choices, customers can truly create one-of-a kind invitations that reflect their unique personality. To help with a variety of budgets, every invitation style is available in 3 forms-as a do-it-yourself kit, fully assembled, or you-assemble, where Twisted Limb artists make the paper and handle the printing, but customers tie the bows.

No dyes are used to tint the paper. Colors are obtained directly from the materials, mainly from TIS Publishing, being recycled. Currently, the studio purchases 40% of its energy from renewable sources. In 2007, the company will offset 100% of the carbon emissions created by operating the facility and employee commuting by investing in wind farms through Native Energy. Water used in the papermaking process is recycled from the studio's air conditioner and dehumidifiers. A portion of Twisted Limb's prep work is done by adults with developmental disabilities, and 10% of profits is donated to environmental and community groups each year.

Twisted Limb has been highlighted in the Wall Street Journal, Organic Style and E Magazines and in two books: Organic Weddings and Green Business: A Five Part Model for Creating an Environmentally Responsible Company. To learn more, visit the Twisted Limb Paperwork's Website.

Bloomington's downtown Certified Technology Park is made up of many unique technology development businesses. Each month learn news about these innovative businesses and other initiatives impacting the Park tenants!

NIH Announces Change in SBIR/STTR Submission Dates
Effective January 1, 2007, the standard submission dates for SBIR and STTR applications will be April 5, August 5, and December 5. This does not affect the December 1, 2006 or the January 2, 2007 AIDS and AIDS-related submission dates. Submission dates for all NIH grant mechanisms have been spread out to accommodate the high volume peaks in the electronic submission process.

Additional information may be found in the recently released notice that was placed in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation site.

December 6: Defense Related Research and Development Workshop
What: Learn about Crane focus areas, research projects in both the Indiana private sector and universities along with a presentation on Federal funding opportunities. See the complete agenda.
Where: Purdue University, West Lafayette Campus, Stewart Center, Room 218A-C
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: Free, but registration is requested.
Contact: Lisa Muncy at 765-494-0743

December 6: Capturing the Value of Invisible Assets Seminar
What: Learn how to protect, value, and ultimately sell intellectual property.
Where: Barnes & Thornburg LLP, 11 S. Meridian St., 5th Floor Conference Center, Indianapolis
Time: 1:30 - 5:00pm
Contact: Deb Hallberg at 317-231-7356

December 12: Tech-Ops Panel Discussion
What: Workforce: Staffing, Recruiting, and Education
Where: Bloomington Convention Center
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

December 8: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: Series of video conference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

December 13: 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 St., Suite 106
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Cost: $25
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

December 19: Tech Tuesday
What: A series of video conference presentations with a networking and educational component for Bloomington technology businesses.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Terri Brown, inVenture, 812-335-7356

December 19: Life Sciences Lunch Series
What: The Indiana Health Industry Forum and Barnes & Thornburg present a monthly seminar series on critical issues in life sciences.
Where: Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington Campus
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Contact: BEDC, 812-335-7346

January 5: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: Series of video conference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

• Biz Info Library

• Duct Tape Marketing

• Deductions Your Small Business Shouldn't Miss

Small Business Planning Software
The Navigator Business Plan Edition provides the latest in business plan resources and personalized professional business assistance. Business plans are a critical tool for entrepreneurs to receive financing, communicate effectively with employees and advisors, and increase your odds for success and much more.

Contact the SBDC office at 812-339-8937 for more information or to get started on your business plan today!

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QuickBooks Year End Accounting Tip
Providing your accountant with your financial information has been made easier through QuickBooks software. Simply create an "Accountant's copy" of your company file and deliver it to your accountant! Under the File menu, select "Accountant Review" and then "Create Accountant Copy." QuickBooks will do the work for you!