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Top 8 Ways To Help Our Local Economy Today
1. Write One Sentence
Time: 1 minute Cost: $0 Outcome: Awareness
Help us help Nevada County. Tell your community why you think Sierra Commons is important to you and our local economy. Please use the comments section below.
2. Come to Nevada City City Council Meeting Tonight
Time: 60 minutes Cost: $0 Outcome: Civic Engagement
Tonight the Nevada City Council will consider a proposal to locate Sierra Commons' education, business incubation and co-working programs to the Nevada City Veterans' Building.
Working with the local VFW, we have identified the Veterans' Building as a great, but underutilized, public asset. Our plan (pt1 pages 16-24, pt 2), while still only an outline, is one that we think will benefit the whole community. It will improve Sierra Commons' ability to help local residents create economic opportunities for themselves, while respecting veterans' use of the building and its role as a useful community space.
Location: Nevada City City Hall
Time: Meeting starts at 6:30pm. 7:30pm is a safe time to show up.
3. Set a Lunch Date
Time: 75 minutes Cost: $10 suggested donation Outcome: Business education and networking
Sierra Commons Lunch & Learn series includes a presentation or roundtable discussion by some of our area’s leading business professionals. Events are held each Tuesday from 12-1:15 in the Sierra Commons conference room. Our next session is October 2nd
 and is hosted by Pamela Biery. Pamela will cover marketing strategies that pull together your web, PR and social media marketing.
4. Make a Financial Donation
Time: 3 minutes Cost: $1-$1B Outcome: A more resilient local economy
Make your tax-deductible donations now and help Sierra Commons help our local economy.
Visit us online and click on the "Donate" button on the top right of our site.
5. Set your Passions into Action
Time: 5 minutes to register Cost: Starting at $25 Outcome: Gaining tools to follow your passion
Sierra Commons is a proud sponsor of the upcoming Passion Into Action conference Friday – Sunday October 12-14, 2012.
In serving as a platform for the voices of women in a variety of disciplines, the Passion into Action Conference™ (PIA) creates a space for women to meet, network, and explore ideas. Attendees are inspired to identify their passion, support a passion, collaborate, network and more. Most importantly PIA provides tools and avenues to help shift concepts & ideas into action.
6. Get Ignited
Time: 5 minutes to register Cost: $350 (a $1,500 value) Outcome: Becoming an inspired local business owner
Starting October 24, 2012, Sierra Commons will present a six-week course to help entrepreneurs realize their dreams and launch a business. More than a business plan workshop, this intensive course brings together a group of motivated entrepreneurs, and guides them through the steps needed to launch a business.
7. Support Local Business
Time: 20 minutes Cost: $-$$$ Outcome: A stronger local economy
One of the greatest things an individual can do to support his or her local community is to patronize its locally owned businesses. Compared to their national competitors, local independent businesses recycle more money back into the local economy and give greater support to a community’s nonprofit and civic needs. They are better positioned to respond to the special needs of the community, and they are more tied to the community’s future. Additionally, unlike a homogenized Anyplace, USA, a community with vibrant independent businesses retains its unique character as a great place to live and visit.
Get going now with this handy list of local businesses Sierra Commons has helped launch.
8. Jazz Yourself Up
Time: 5 minutes to register Cost: $497 Outcome: Becoming an inspired local business owner
Think about how you can blend your inspiration, skills, and entrepreneurial aspirations. Then write down the top three ideas you come up with. Now narrow the list down to one amazing idea. Then take one step TODAY to move forward.
Optional: Consider registering for our newest class offering YourBiz Blueprint. We will help you create a web presence that allows you to earn a great living while following your passion.
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Congratulations. The actions you are taking now are making Nevada County a better place to live.
If you have other simple ways people can help our local economy, we want to hear from you. Please post your comments below.
