CRI Offers Course Entitled “Social and Economic Information for Winning Grants”
The workshop is specially designed to meet the unique needs of both beginning & advanced grant writers. The teaching philosophy of the class is "hands‑on"; each student has access to a PC on the Internet & will learn to create a compelling demographic profile of their community. This class is offered in partnership with MN Department of Employee and Economic Development.

March 8/9am-12pm/ $60.00 CRI 510
Facilitator:  Anthony Schaffhauser

For more information click here, or to register, click here.

QuickBooks Training Offered at CRI
Michelle Landsverk, Certified QuickBooks Pro-Advisor, will teach an Introduction to QuickBooks on March 9 and 16 at the Center for Research and Innovation. The 12-hour course will teach how to quickly and easily manage basic tasks like printing checks, paying bills, generating reports, invoicing customers and tracking expenses. The course is co-sponsored by The People Connection and the NW Regional Small Business Development Center and the cost is $249. Contact the CRI to register.

Enhance Your Computer Skills to Improve Your Business Communications and Operations
Learn to use Microsoft Word and Excel programs to improve the success of your business. Business Communications courses focus on using Microsoft Word to create professional documents in less time with less stress. Microsoft Excel courses focus on creating spreadsheets for the purpose of creating usable budgets and sales projections. Courses begin March 22 at the Center for Research and Innovation. For the full list of courses cosponsored by The People Connection and the NW Regional Small Business Development Center, click here.

Enhance Your Computer Skills to MTI Offers Courses at CRI
“Lean 101 – Principles in Lean Manufacturing”

Discover the benefits of moving from a traditional to a Lean manufacturing environment. The Lean 101 workshop mixes live simulation with classroom presentations. Participants learn Lean techniques through a four-part production simulation. Following the workshop, your employees will have new ideas on how to improve production efficiency. Even experienced staff will benefit from the lessons in this workshop. Companies who have trained their employees in Lean techniques report dramatic improvements in quality, on- time delivery and cycle-time reduction. The workshop is scheduled March 30 from 8am-4pm at a cost of $240. Registration can be done by contacting Mary Connor 218.444.3824 or Judie Juhl 507.529.6127

Click here for more information.

“Power in the Process – New Product Development”
Cr eating viable and profitable new products or services is increasingly essential for a sustainable, competitive advantage. “Product launches fail at a rate of 35 to 45 percent. But the stakes don't need to be quite that high.” The purpose of this business workshop is to introduce your company to NPD processes that support growth by building your top-line with the right products; filling your product portfolio with the right products based on market needs and customer desires and most importantly, by reducing financial risks. The workshop is scheduled March 29 from 1-3pm at a cost of $29. Registration can be done online at http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/business/techforums

Click here for more information.

News from the NW Regional Small Business Development Center
Congratulations to the Following SBDC Client
A new cosmetology school will open in Bemidji with the help of the Small Business Development Center! Professional Salon Academy, Inc is set to open in the middle of March. It is located at 519 Anne St NW. The SBDC assisted them with developing their business plan and cash flow analysis.

SBDC Works with Rural Partners on Economic Development
The NW Regional SBDC is a co-host of Congressman Collin Peterson's Small Business Resource Fair to be held in Mahnomen on Friday, March 4. The goal is to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with the information and contacts needed to get started or expand in business. Learn more about the Small Business Resource Fair.

Government Procurement Fair Scheduled in Cass Lake
Small businesses interested in doing business with government agencies, prime contractors can meet with representatives from the respective organizations. The event is scheduled March 15 from 8:30am to 3pm at the Palace Casino in Cass Lake. The event is brought to you i n cooperation with the Native American Business Development Center, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. There is no fee to attend. Click here for full details.

News From the Natural Resources Consortium
Learn More About Certified Wood Products
Join Andy Arends, Forest Certification Program Leader, MN DNR, as he presents “A Consumer’s Guide to Certified Wood Products”. Arends will present at the CRI on Monday, March 22 from 3-4:30pm. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Spring Workshop Scheduled
A full-day workshop entitled “Public and Tribal Land Ownership and Use” is scheduled to take place April 28 from 8:30am-4:30pm at Bemidji’s Northern Inn Conference Center. The workshop will bring together experts from federal, state, county and tribal organizations. The cost of the event is $75, which includes all materials, lunch and refreshments. Watch this newsletter or contact the CRI for more information.

Fall Workshop Scheduled
The NRC is proud to work with the Conservation Forestry Network to bring Dr. Jerry Franklin to MN. Franklin, one of the most prominent ecologists, has developed a core curriculum that will stress place-based and customized approaches to harvesting through a mix of new science, case study, discussions, and site visits. The two-day course is
designed for public and for-profit and non-profit private organizations with an interest in managing forests in the Great Lakes region for multiple objectives including timber, wildlife and sustaining or restoring native diversity. More information about this workshop can be found at http://www.osiny.org/conservationforestry/mn_forestry.htm

Academy of Lifelong Learning Begins Spring Series
The Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) will begin the spring series of 6 weekly presentations on March 22 from 10-11:30am. The ALL is a learning in retirement network made possible with funding from the Minnesota Humanities Commission in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities and support from Bemidji State University and the BSU Foundation. The first presentation, held at the Center for Research and Innovation, will feature Karen Branden, Ph.D., Sociology, Bemidji State University presenting “Altering Wild Rice”. Dr. Branden will discuss the different cultural perceptions related to wild rice. How do the forces of “science vs. culture and spirituality” inform our views about this sacred grain and food source? The presentations for the ALL are free and open to the public. For more information about the ALL spring series presentations, contact the CRI at 218-755-4900 / 888-738-3224 or email us or read the spring newsletter.

News You Can Use
The University of Minnesota Extension Service will be hosting the U and Your Economy workshops in five locations throughout the state this spring: Marshall (March 10), Owatonna (March 24), Grand Rapids (March 31), Crookston (April 7), and St. Cloud (April 14). The event is an excellent opportunity for those in public service and economic development to learn about research in public finance and retail development from campus faculty to improve their local economies: http://www.extension.umn.edu/capacity/cv/uandeconomy.html