Robert Williamson, director of the Polk County Office of Economic & Tourism Development, presented a check Tuesday for $3,000 to the Polk County branch of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). Attending the check presentation on behalf of SCORE were Bill Kerns, Don Hofmann, Bruce Hunt, Mike Frye, Ben King, Terry Lynch, Beth Rounds and Vince Verrecchio. These local volunteer mentors have rich backgrounds in business law, strategy, marketing, advertising, commercial banking, public relations, accounting, finance and small business ownership. All are passionate about helping the local business community grow and succeed.

SCORE will be using the funding to assist in providing business education programs throughout 2016.  Last year SCORE held six workshops. With this new funding 13 workshops/seminars are planned for the first six months of the year. Some of the topics include: Introduction to QuickBooks, Crowdfunding and Other Ways to Raise Capital, How to Keep and Cultivate Customers, Promoting Your Business Through Effective Public Relations, What You Need to Know Before You Buy or Sell a Business, and Do-It-Yourself Advertising for Small Business.

SCORE’s individual mentoring services, workshops, roundtable group sessions, email mentoring and seminars have served over 225 individuals during 2015. This year the plan is to significantly increase these numbers. SCORE has forged a partnership with Isothermal Community College Polk County Branch, Foothills Chamber of Commerce and the Polk County Economic & Tourism Development office in its efforts to serve our local business community.

Pictured, left to right, are Terry Lynch, Don Hofmann, Beth Rounds, Robert Williamson, Bill Kerns, Bruce Hunt, Vince Verrecchio, and Mike Frye.

– Submitted by Bill Kerns, photo by Leah Justice