The Minnesota Cup is an annual, statewide competition that seeks out aspiring entrepreneurs and their breakthrough ideas to be the next great entrepreneurial success story in our state.

This competition is for all entrepreneurs, inventors, and small business people in the State of Minnesota, whether your breakthrough idea is high tech or no tech, whether you are just putting your ideas into a business plan or if you've been out building your venture. 

Over $130,000 in contest winnings will be awarded to entries across six different divisions.  College students may also submit their business ideas for judging in the student category.

Minnesota employment law seminar to be held April 21

The Minnesota WorkForce Center is offering a valuable and informative seminar for employers in northeast Minnesota:

Hot Topics in Employment Law:  When it's your business, it's your business to know the law!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009
8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Mt. Iron Community Center
8586 Enterprise Drive
Mt. Iron, MN 55768

The seminar will be presented by Nancy Vollertsen, an attorney with the Law Office of Lindquist & Vennum in Minneapolis.  Ms. Vollersteen's company authors "An Employer's Guide to Employment Law Issues in Minnesota," a publication of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Registration fee is $25 per person and includes materials and luncheon.  To register, call the Minnesota WorkForce Center in Virginia at 218-748-2200 and ask for Connie or Cindy.  Registration deadline is April 14.

Sponsors of this seminar are the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce, Mesabi Range Community and Technical College, Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
 

Growing Neighborhood Businesses Dinner Series:
"Operation Structures for Working Smarter"

When:  Thursday, April 2

Where: Historic Duluth Depot

Dinner Host: Grandma's Saloon & Grill

Cost:  $15, includes dinner
 

Schedule:   5:00 pm - cash bar and networking
                   5:30 pm - Dinner (by Grandma's Saloon & Grill)
                   6:00 pm - Guest speakers Bruce Beste & Bill Kimbler
                   6:45 pm - NEF host Jennifer Young
                   7:00 pm - close
 

Register now by calling Jennifer Young at 218-623-5747 or email jennifery@entrepreneurfund.org.  Pre-registration required.  Seats are limited.

Sponsored by the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund.  "Growing Neighborhood Businesses" (GNB) is a partner of Duluth at Work, a new initiative co-administered by the City of Duluth LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation).
 

Turn your art into an income

Are you an artist with a desire to transform your avocation into a business?  Do you want to be able to successfully market your artistic product/service?  Are you wondering where and how to start down the path of artist-as-entrepreneur?

The Northeast Entrepreneur Fund introduces a new business learning program developed especially or artists who reside in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. 

C.RE.A.T.E. (Community Resources for Artists-to-Entrepreneurs) is designed to help artists turn their work into viable, income-producing businesses.  Eligible participants include but are not limited to visual artists, sculptors, potters, filmmakers, photographers, musicians, and writers.

The next class series begins May 12.  For program details, visit www.entrepreneurfund.org/GNBcreate.htm, call 218-623-5747, or email info@entrepreneurfund.org.
 

IRS offering one-day workshop for small to midsize tax-exempt organizations

The workshop, presented by experienced IRS Exempt Organizations Specialists, will explain what 501(c)(3) organizations must do to keep their tax-exempt status and comply with tax obligations. This introductory workshop is designed for administrators or volunteers who are responsible for the organization’s tax compliance and  organization representatives who are interested in this subject.

Location: Embassy Suites Hotel, Minneapolis Airport
7901 34th Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55425

Date: Tuesday, April 28 or Wednesday, April 29 or Thursday, April 30

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $45 per person, non-refundable (Pre-Registration is required.)

Visit the IRS website calendar of events for details and registration information:  http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96083,00.html
 

Dale Carnegie business success workshop

How do organizations maintain success and grow in a tough market?
Why do our best customers keep doing business with us?
Why are we as consumers loyal to the services we use?

"Survive or Thrive - Positioning Your Business for Success"

Tuesday, April 14
11am – 1pm
Coates Plaza Hotel
502 Chestnut Street
Virginia, MN  55792

Sponsored by Queen City Federal Savings and the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce. 

Fee is $20.00 for Laurentian Chamber members; $30.00 for non-members. Lunch and materials are included.  To register, contact the Laurentian Chamber office at 218-741-2717 or admin@laurentianchamber.org.
 

This Month's Featured Entrepreneurial Resources… 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009:

Small Business Overview and FAQ:  An overview and question-and-answer sheet for small business owners, provided by the Small Business Administration...

http://www.sba.gov/recovery/index.html

IRS information:  The IRS is implementing tax-related provisions of the new economic recovery program as quickly as possible.  Here are some key highlights...

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204335,00.html?portlet=6