Meghan McFall, director of USU Blanding’s SPARC (Small Business, Professional Development, Application, Resources, Certification) would like to put the call out to anyone hoping to start or expand their business in San Juan County. 

Her organization located at 238 North 100 East in Blanding is offering up coworking space for those who may need it to get their business started. The center in Blanding was developed to offer a Rural Co-working Space to residents in the county. McFall is offering a bit more than office space or a desk to those who are trying to make a go of business in our area. 

Various levels of membership are available to fit your needs and up to $2000 in free training for her trainings and design classes have been set aside to pay for classes and instructions that run the gamut from one-on-one coaching for devising a business strategy all the way to lining you up with an accountant for a consultation on how to handle your new found fortune. 

Between start-up and counting your cash SPARC and McFall can lead you through creating a website, processing payments through credit card companies and developing your customer base.

The free training offer is running out so if you want in on that please make contact soon. McFall would caution that if you wait much past the 1st of October the funding may run out. 

As for the rural coworking space there are a couple of levels of opportunity. The 3 Month Workspace is a no cost functional workspace for desktop or laptop, internet and up to 20 free copies from the media center. 

A level higher would be a Workspace Membership. The goal of this level is to offer a continued workspace at a gradually increasing rate as the business grows. The Workspace Membership offers a professional business image that includes a business address to offer customers. McFall emphasizes that rural areas do not need to give up the opportunity to build a professional presence anywhere in the world. 

All participating businesses will receive a 6 month membership in the San Juan Chamber of Commerce. This should allow for new business owners to connect to the local business community. These opportunities will foster collaboration, support and strategic partnerships resulting in a stronger business community. 

Those involved will also be listed in the Business Pass. This pass is a digital directory associated with the Utah’s Canyon Country virtual visitors guide. The guide is designed to steer visitors and locals alike to businesses and services available in San Juan County. 

Businesses and Artisans will have a place on the tourism pages of the Utah’s Canyon Country website. The website is regularly updated to meet the needs of domestic and international visitors to the area. 

If these opportunities sound like something that may help your business or you as an artist wanting to make yourself known, contact Meghan McFall at (435) 678-8102 or by email at [email protected].