Why Should You Obtain a Copy of Your Credit Report?

Your credit report contains your personal data, credit history, and a list of anyone who has requested your credit report.  Errors do occur, as do fraud and identity theft.  For your own security and well-being, it's a good idea to check your credit report each year for accuracy. 

Two years ago, the Fair Credit Reporting Act made it possible for you to receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months by request.

Visit the website at:
www.annualcreditreport.com

Call toll-free:
1-877-322-8228

Mail a request form to:
Annual Credit Report Service
PO Box 10521
Atlanta, GA  30348-5281

There are many other "free" credit reports advertised, but they are rarely what they seem.  They may put on you telemarketing lists or have other hidden costs.  We recommend using the contact information above when requesting a free copy of your credit report.
 

"The Minnesota Cup"
Third Annual Contest

Once upon a time...
Google was a couple people in a garage...
Apple was a couple people in a garage...
If you're a couple people in a garage, have we got a competition for you:

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, 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. 

The 2007 Minnesota Cup launched on March 30th and we will be taking submissions through May 25th. For more information and to enter the competition, visit www.breakthroughideas.com.

Source: James J. Hill Reference Library

Grant Opportunity for Small
Business Owners in Rural Minnesota

Applications are currently being accepted by the Minnesota USDA Rural Development state office for funding toward the purchase of renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements by agriculture producers and small business owners in eligible rural areas.  Funding will be available in the form of grants, guaranteed loans, and combined guaranteed loans and grant applications. 

Applicants must live in a rural area (population below 50,000), and must either A) be an agricultural producer (directly engaged in the production of agricultural products) or B) qualify as a small business in accordance with SBA small business size standards.

Grant application deadline is May 18, 2007.  For further information on eligibility and application requirements, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html.
 

"Magnetic North" on WELY

"Magnetic North" often features people who have chosen to return home to build a business and may inspire others to envision returning to the Ely area. If you have children who live and work elsewhere but want to return, encourage them to tune in via their computers. They will hear how new businesses get established, how they might bring their ideas and skills home and how they might connect to people with established businesses in the area.

The Northeast Entrepreneur Fund will be featured on Saturday, May 5 at 8:30 AM.  Tune in to WELY or listen live at www.wely.com. 
 

Apply to be One of Inc. Magazine's
"Top 5000 Dynamic Businesses"

You set out to build a successful company... and you've done it!
Now, it's time to make sure the world knows about it...

Inc. Magazine is expanding its acclaimed Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States to include 5,000 dynamic businesses. The new list will be called the Inc. 5,000. Not only will companies that apply get a chance to rank in the Inc. 5,000, they'll also have the opportunity to rank in top 100 lists in region and industry categories.

The top 500 companies will be profiled in Inc. Magazine, and the entire Inc. 5,000 will be profiled on Inc.com. In addition to getting profiled in Inc., companies often receive local and national media attention. All 5,000 companies on the Inc. 5,000 will be able to attend the Inc. 500 Conference being held in Chicago in September.

The application takes only a few minutes, and there are no fees to apply or qualify as this is an editorial award. Go to http://www.inc.com/inc5000?partner=5000assoc to apply.

The deadline for applications is May 15, 2007. APPLY TODAY!

Source: Association for Enterprise Opportunity

This Month's Featured Entrepreneurial Resources… 

Business or Hobby?
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=169490,00.html

This IRS Fact Sheet will help you ensure that you are following appropriate guidelines when determining whether an activity is a business or hobby. Those who become self-employed after retirement or as a second job will benefit from the information provided here.

Free Online SBA Courses
http://www.sba.gov/services/training/onlinecourses/index.html

The Small Business Administration provides more than 25 free online courses in different areas of business and entrepreneurship.