The Micro-Enterprise Program is coordinated by the SUNY Oswego Business Resource Center (BRC) and supported by the City of Fulton Community Development Agency, the City of Oswego Community Development Office, and Operation Oswego County to provide guidance and support to people interested in starting or expanding a small business.

The program provides a 14-hour small-business training course that covers such topics as how to write a business plan, how to obtain financing, accounting and tax issues, business insurance, legalities, marketing, and other basic business start-up issues.

Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in low-interest financing to expand or start their business in Oswego County.

At this time there are no Oswego County Micro-Enterprise classes scheduled.

Course Alternatives

Similar coursework is provide by Onondaga SBDC - the Fast Track Workshop.

The next class will be held, in person, on May 2nd, 4th and 9th, from 9 am - 4:30 pm. The cost for the course and materials is $125. To learn more or register for the course, visit the Onondaga SBDC Fast Track Workshop web page.

For those businesses looking to grow their existing business, SCORE is hosting Simple Steps to Grow Your Business.

Over 6 two-hours sessions you will learn the three distinct next steps: (1) Assess what you have created, (2) Develop a Plan for Growth and (3) Executing and Modifying that Plan. The sessions run from April 3, 2023 to May 8, 2023, from 10 am to noon, at the East Side Business Center in Syracuse.

Cost is just $100 for all 6 sessions. Veterans are FREE courtesy of M&T Bank.

For more information or to register for the workshop, visit the SCORE Workshops web page.

Course Outline:

Introduction to Small Business Ownership

• Meet the class participants and learn about one of the best ways to meet new customers
• Meet and listen to current small business owners as they share their insights on owning and operating a small business
• Learn the basic steps of small business start-up and the resources available

Business Planning and Financing

• Introduction to the written business plan and how to start writing your own plan
• Learn how to go about obtaining funds from a bank
• Learn how to check your credit history and how to address any related credit problems

Risk Management

• Learn about the use of business insurance as one aspect of risk management for your business

Financial Statements and Accounting

• Learn how to do a cash flow statement for your business
• Find out what taxes you will be required to pay and when and how to pay them
• Learn how to keep track of simple financial records and how to keep books for your business, as well as how this relates to your important tax information

Marketing

• Find out how to identify your market, how to advertise to that market, and how to retain customers

Business Legalities

• Learn about sole proprietorships, corporations, limited liability corporations and partnerships
• Learn how to avoid potential legal problems in your business

Loan Program

• Learn about below-prime rate loans available to micro program graduates