Chamber of Commerce Launches 2025 Business Workshop Series

The Indiana County Chamber of Commerce is continuing its support of local businesses throughout the county with a number of new initiatives through 2025. An emphasis this year has been placed on providing workshops, resources, and support for existing businesses in the region Chamber President Mark Hilliard states that the renewed focus has been in response concerns raised by local business owners.

“We have been hearing from a number of businesses that they are spending so much time working at their business that they have not had time to work on their business, and some really do not know where to start,” Mr. Hilliard said. “We want to provide these businesses with opportunities to have some of their questions answered and also to provide them with access to the resources that can help them.”

This initiative kicked off on May 20 with a small business workshop held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Indiana. The workshop featured representatives from the Small Business Association (SBA), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI), and the Indiana County Office of Planning and Development  Fifty businesses in attendance learned of the various resources that were available to local businesses as well as how these organizations collaborated in a variety of efforts to assist small businesses.

Following the small business workshop, a number of more focused sessions are scheduled for businesses on a variety of topics.

“We were able to get feedback not only from those who attended the small business workshop, but also from those who were able to watch it online on what some of the specific topics that they needed help with,” Mr. Hilliard stated. “Through our partnerships we were able to create a number of smaller workshops that can hit on some of the key points in these areas that businesses are struggling with.”

Workshops will take place beginning July 8 and will be held from 12 pm – 1 pm during lunch to be able to better accommodate business owners and will also be available virtually. The topics will include “How to use Artificial Intelligence for your business,” “How to use social media to help your business,” “E-Commerce,” “Bookkeeping,” and “Succession planning for your business.”

You can register for any of these workshops by visiting indianacountychamber.com and clicking on “events.”  If there is a topic that is of particular interest to your business that has not been scheduled, please contact the Chamber on 724-465-2511.