If you are an artisan, own an existing business that you want to expand, or even a start up business, Meaghan McFall at USU’s small business incubator SPARC, wants to talk to you. McFall has reached out to San Juan County Economic Development and Visitor Services with a reminder of things SPARC can do with USDA Grants that have just been pushed out. 

If you are an existing business and have plans for expansion, McFall wants a chance to see if she can find a USDA grant to help fund your expansion. And don’t let the USDA brand scare you into thinking you have to be farming something to qualify. McFall will explain it all but suffice to say the rural nature of our county qualifies a lot of businesses for USDA assistance. 

In addition to expansion for existing businesses McFall is offering up free training on machinery operation for existing employees. Bookkeeping, commercial drivers training and licensing, forklift operation and certification, as well as skid steer training, may fall under the USDA Grants. Right now between two programs at the USU campus $2000 worth of training can be had for free. Documented training and certifications can bring your insurance rates down and make your workplace more productive. 

Also businesses involved in the construction trades or mining may require certain levels of training in OSHA practices to stay in compliance with local or state regulations. The OSHA 10-Hour Training for Construction and OSHA 10-Hour Training for General Industry could get your company in good standing.  First Aid courses such as CPR that are required by some trade industries are being offered too. 

For artisans and start up businesses it’s worth a call to McFall. In a few minutes time she will be able to identify what is there for website development and upgrading, market development and branding and how to start the process. 

Meghan Mcfall can be reached at USU’s SPARC by email at [email protected] or (435) 678-8102