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Monday, December 31, 2007

Lookout Pass Celebrates Grand Opening of New Lift

We are pleased to announce the GRAND OPENING of our new "NORTH STAR" CHAIRLIFT, scheduled for Wednesday, December 26.

Lookout Pass has now tripled in size since 2003 and the new North Star aerial lift provides access to a new dimension of expert and intermediate terrain on the coveted north aspect of the mountain. With all the fresh powder we've received in the past week, skiers and riders will love the six new runs and additional tree skiing. The new terrain has a 1,000 foot vertical drop with true fall-lines on the expert runs.

Lookout Pass is open daily through January 7 and Thursdays through Mondays after Christmas vacation.

Lookout Pass is nestled at the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains, a sub-range of the Northern Rockies. Our great snow quality and abundant snow fall tends to provide many light powder days and superb groomed conditions. It's an easy all expressway, I-90, drive right to our parking lot.

See you on the slopes!

NIC’s Idaho Small Business Development Center awards grants

Three northern Idaho companies were recently awarded $20,000 grants through the Idaho Small Business Development Center.

Marine Co. of Harrison, Ground Force Manufacturing of Post Falls and Bullet Tools of Hayden each received grants in a competitive grant program for small- and medium-sized, high-growth companies seeking to streamline operations using integrated software solutions.

The grant recipients from northern Idaho were among 12 companies from across the state selected for the grants.

The grants will supplement each company’s own funds for the training and services necessary to implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. One of the most common challenges growing businesses face is the rising operational inefficiencies caused by disconnected systems within an organization. ERP systems integrate technology, processes and data across the organization to maximize operational efficiency. The greatest impact is typically in resource management, such as inventory, personnel, scheduling and billing, integral elements of most businesses.

According to Bill Jhung, director of North Idaho College’s Idaho Small Business Development Center which assisted the companies in applying for the grants, the training costs are key to successful implementation of the ERP systems, but are often under-budgeted.

“These grants will help these businesses become even more competitive in their industries with new ERP systems,” Jhung said. “Their continued success will help create more manufacturing opportunities and jobs in North Idaho.”

Two of the grant recipients have received business coaching from NIC’s Idaho Small Business Development Center. All three businesses will receive assistance from the center in their ERP implementation.

NIC’s Idaho Small Business Development Center provides no-cost business coaching and low-cost business training for entrepreneurs in northern Idaho.

Information: (208) 769-3284.

Do you want to LEAD your business to the next level?

Do you want to LEAD your business to the next level?

Idaho Small Business Development Center is offering a powerful workshop designed to help you break out of the rut.

Entrepreneurial Leadership Training-I is a 10 week intensive, designed to help you discover critical success factors, and gain deeper understanding of your business. You will also gain new skills and tools to help you lead your business and take it to the next level.

The workshop will cover:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Business Planning & Research
  • Management & organization
  • Operations
  • Market Analysis
  • Marketing Strategies & Implementation
  • Using Financial Statements
  • Financial Planning and Budgeting
  • Deal Making
  • Managing Growth
This training will provide opportunities to learn from other entrepreneurs as you rub shoulders and collaborate on group activities. You will also have an opportunity to identify goals and develop a Strategic Plan to serve as your road map for growth. Register early, class is limited to 20 people.

ELT-I will be held 5:30-9pm, Tuesday evenings, February 5-April 8th at the NIC Workforce Training Center in Post Falls. Cost of the workshop is $395/person. To register call 769-3333 or visit www.workforcetraining.nic.edu under leadership.

Helping Businesses in Idaho Thrive and Grow!