HOOD RIVER — The Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has launched two comprehensive, nine-month business accelerator cohorts designed specifically for local business owners, managers, and key employees.
The Retail Small Business Management Program and the Restaurant Small Business Management Program will run from October to June, and will include both interactive workshops and private business advising to help independent businesses scale profitability, streamline operations, and master financial and digital management.
The Retail Small Business Management Program will begin on Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. on Zoom. The nine program sessions will cover topics like customer experience, visual merchandising, business finance, digital marketing, AI tools for small business, hiring and HR best practices, legal considerations, and inventory management.
The Restaurant Small Business Management Program will begin on Oct. 13 at 9 a.m. in Room 101 of the CGCC Hood River Campus. The 10 program sessions will cover subjects like financial fluency, employee retention, profit management, digital sales, seasonal menu planning, bar management, legal contracts, exit planning, and practical AI adoption.
To ensure cost is not a barrier, scholarships are available for both programs, which are granted on a first-come first-served basis. Business owners and employees can register for the Retail Small Business Management Program and the Restaurant Small Business Management Program online.
For questions regarding program fit, start-up inquiries, or scholarship details, contact center Director Gregory Price at gprice@cgcc.edu or 541-506-6120 or Lead Adviser Josiah Dean at jdean@cgcc.edu.
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