James Strube, a Business Opportunity Specialist with the Milwaukee District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), will provide nine training sessions on July 2 and 3 covering a variety of topics relating to SBA business activities and support. You can participate in one or all of them. Each session will provide 25-30 minutes of instruction followed by a short question and answer period. There is no charge to participate but registration for each training session is necessary as seating is limited.
Monday - July 2
12:45 p.m. Registration and Networking
1:00 p.m. Veterans – Connecting with Contract Opportunities and Support
This session will provide insight on getting certified and be positioned to seek and perform contracts as a veteran and service disabled veteran owned business.
1:40 p.m. Accessing Government Opportunities – Small, Women, Minorities and Veteran Businesses
This session will cover what businesses need to do to become a government contractor with an emphasis on SBA programs that encourage businesses that are small and owned by women, minorities and veterans to do business with the federal government.
2:20 p.m. How the Government Buys Products and Services – How to Compete for and Perform Government Contracts
This session will cover key considerations for businesses competing and performing federal contracts.
3:00 BREAK
3:10 p.m. HUBZone Businesses – Accessing Opportunities
A significant part of La Crosse is considered a HUBZone. This session will identify what is an eligible HUBZone business and how that status provides access to government contract opportunities.
3:50 p.m. Small Business Program – Mentor-Protégé and Joint Ventures in Federal Contracting
This session will discuss changes in the federal regulations that are creating new opportunities to leverage relationships and form mentor-protégé arrangements to seek and perform government contracts.
Tuesday - July 3
8:00 a.m. Registration and Networking
8:15 a.m. Financing Your Business – How the SBA Helps Businesses Get Funded
Many businesses need funding to start and grow. This session will provide an overview of the SBA loan programs and identify the support the SBA provides to help businesses access the funding they need to start and grow.
9:00 a.m. SBA Loans and Key Characteristics to a Successful Loan Package
What type of loans are generally available? Who provides SBA related funding? What typically is considered when determining eligibility for SBA loans.
9:45 a.m. BREAK
10:00 a.m. Marketing to the Federal Government – How to Get the Attention of Contracting Officers
This session will provide insight on how the government locates potential contractors and what a business interested in federal contracts should be doing to be noticed.
10:45 a.m. SBA Business Support –Technical and Other Assistance for Businesses
The SBA provides a wide range of technical and other assistance for businesses. This session will identify various resources and discuss ways to access the support needed to help your business succeed.
Campus Area Parking Options:
The university has changed its parking options over the last few years to take advantage of new technology, such as license plate recognition. Here are your options for parking on and around campus:
Free parking – There is free parking off campus on surrounding streets; parking availability fluctuates throughout the day. Note: there are streets on campus that require a parking permit.
Pay for parking the day of your visit – You can park on the first 3 levels in the Parking Ramp (preferred location) or in any commuter (C) lot on campus. You must paybefore attending your event. You need to know your license plate number for the following payment options.
If you have a smartphone, you can download the Passport Parking app at https://ppprk.com/park/ and set up an account. Then on your smartphone, enter the zone number for the parking lot, specify the amount of time you will be there and pay for the time you will be on campus. The cost is $1.00/hr. You can even add time through the app if it is expiring. Zone numbers are listed on the pay stations: Parking Ramp is 351, Lot C-2 is 669, and Lot C-7 is 670. A link to the campus map can be found below.
Your other option is to pay at the pay station in that lot. You will need to estimate how long you will be on campus. The cost is $1.00/hr. The pay stations accept cash (exact change only) or credit cards. The Parking Ramp has two pay stations – one on the second floor and the other on the first floor. If you pay with a credit card, you can enter your cell phone number to receive text alerts to add time if your session is about to expire.
Purchase a parking permit in advance – Go to https://uwlax.clickandpark.com/facility to purchase a parking permit for a commuter lot. The cost is $4.00 for the morning (7 a.m. – 11:59 a.m.) or afternoon (noon – 6:59 p.m.) or $6.00 for the full day (7 a.m. – 6:59 p.m.). Print the parking permit to hang in your car when you park your car.
Refer to a campus map, https://www.uwlax.edu/globalassets/map.pdf, for locations of commuter lots and pay stations. If you have any questions or problems, contact the Parking Office at (608) 785-8061 or [email protected]. The Parking Office is located next to the Parking Ramp at 608 17th Street N., La Crosse.