The City of Bloomington Launches Free Small Business Technical Assistance Partnership Hosted by Retail Strategies

The City of Bloomington announced the launch of the Small Business Technical Assistance Partnership, a suite of on-demand, virtual training courses hosted by Retail Strategies. This program supports and empowers local small businesses, restaurants, property owners, retailers, and entrepreneurs to adapt their business practices to a changing marketplace. This program is free and available to all the City of Bloomington at no cost.

Retail Strategies, specializing in business recruitment and community development, developed the Small Business Support Technical Assistance Partnership in response to needs identified in a 2020 Main Street America survey. This program offers on-demand training and resources to help small businesses build an online presence and adapt to new market conditions. Local businesses enrolled at no cost will have unlimited access to this training for one year from their enrollment date.

The Small Business Support Technical Assistance Partnership offers a variety of targeted courses:

• Omni-Channel Retail Strategies Training Course: Assists business owners in understanding and navigating digital marketing, content development for social media, and social media commerce.
• Restaurant Resiliency Training Course: Provides strategies for local restaurants to adjust to the post-pandemic industry.
• Property Owner Training & Toolkit Course: This module equips property owners and small businesses with tools to prepare their properties for new tenants and entrepreneurs.
• Holiday Trends & Preparations Training Course: Focuses on economic predictions and strategies for the upcoming holiday season.
• Business Modernization Training: Explores the latest shifts and innovations in business practices, technologies, and strategies.

Each course has comprehensive marketing materials to help businesses maximize their learning and application. Additionally, participants will have access to an extensive resource library filled with templates, worksheets, and a module focusing on college-town economies, which will launch in the fall.

"We are thrilled to launch the Small Business Technical Assistance Partnership to support our local business community," said Andrea de la Rosa, Assistant Director for Small Business Development. "These courses provide valuable insights and practical tools to help businesses adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing environment."

To enroll in the Small Business Technical Assistance Program, visit https://bton.in/84H0W or contact the Department of Economic and Sustainable Development at [email protected] for more information.