In This Issue:

Get Your Nomination in Today

Don’t be shy, we want you to brag. The SBA is accepting nominations for its 2020 National Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year. Tell us your story for a chance to receive one of the nation’s highest honors for small business achievement.

Submit your nomination

Protect Your Small Business from Cybercrime

Did you know that 43 percent of cybercrime around the world is targeted at small businesses? The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has created Cyber Essentials, a guide which includes cybersecurity best practices for small businesses.   

Learn more

Employers: Take advantage of expanded Work Opportunity Tax Credit

The IRS urges employers to take advantage of a valuable tax credit designed to help those who hire long-term unemployment recipients and workers who face significant barriers to employment. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit  is available to employers for hiring individuals from certain targeted groups who have faced barriers to employment.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain targeted groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment.

WOTC joins other workforce programs that incentivize workplace diversity and facilitate access to good jobs for American workers.
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the PATH Act) retroactively allows eligible employers to claim the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for all targeted group employee categories that were in effect prior to the enactment of the PATH Act, if the individual began or begins work for the employer after December 31, 2014 and before January 1, 2020. For tax-exempt employers, the PATH Act retroactively allows them to claim the WOTC for qualified veterans who begin work for the employer after December 31, 2014 and before January 1, 2020. The PATH Act also added a new targeted group category to include qualified long-term unemployment recipients.

Invest in a Green Future:  How C-Pace Funding Can Work for You

Learn how the newly approved C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) program can work with you at a free informative seminar.  Learn what C-PACE funding is and who can apply, program qualifications, and eligible projects.

When:  Thursday, January 9, 2020
Where: IBEW Local 701 Hall
                28600 Bella Vista Parkway
                Warrenville, IL 60555
Time:     7 am – 9 am
To Register:  https://tinyurl.com/PFDP-C-PACE.  Register by 12/20/19

Understanding Employee Rights in the Workplace

Attorney Ellen Yearwood will clearly address employee legal rights and employer responsibilities in the workplace. 

When:  Monday, December 09 2019
Where: Schaumburg Township District Library
                Central Library, Rasmussen North, (A) Classroom
                130 South Roselle Rd
                Schaumburg, IL 60193
Time:     7:00pm - 8:30pm
Register: Attendees may register online https://www.schaumburglibrary.org/ or contact Information Services at 847-923-3347

Google Tools You Should Be Using

Google Trends – Another free and powerful tool, Google Trends provides data based off of user searches in easy to navigate charts. Use it to compare keywords, check out similar trends and searches, and keep up with what’s happening in your industry. (Bonus tools: Check out Google Correlate and Google Public Data Explorer if you want to dive even further into data and industry research)