This newsletter is sponsored by GTA. The items contained herein are published as submitted and are provided for general information purposes only. This information is not advice. Readers should not rely solely on this information, but should make their own inquiries before making any decisions. GTA works to maintain up-to-date information from reliable sources; however, no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions or results of any actions based upon this information. If you have any questions regarding any of these items, contact the organizational representative of that source.

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Elevate America is a program sponsored by Microsoft to help strengthen the U.S. economy and increase global competitiveness by improving access to education and workforce-readiness skills required for 21st century jobs. This initiative is designed to provide 1 million vouchers for Microsoft E-Learning courses and select Microsoft Certification exams at no cost to recipients.

Locally, Microsoft Corporation is working with WorkSource Columbia Gorge to offer the free vouchers for Washington residents in the Gorge. The free programs will help participants get the IT skills, training and resources needed to compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow. 

Visit www.microsoft.com/elevateamerica to learn about additional online resources you can take advantage of today, including: 

• Expanded access to basic technology and skills training
• Basic level information technology training resources through Microsoft Unlimited Potential and Digital Literacy Curricula
• Intermediate technology skills training courses, online and instructor-led, plus selected certification exams
• Vouchers for eLearning course collections offered by Microsoft
• Vouchers for certification exams leading to Microsoft business certification

Interested parties should contact WorkSource Columbia Gorge about a Microsoft Voucher today:

The federal government announced a new interest-free loan program for small businesses created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The "America's Recovery Capital" (ARC) program allows small firms to take out loans of $35,000 to pay down existing business debts. Borrowers pay no interest on the ARC loans and repayment does not begin for one year. To qualify for the ARC loans, small businesses must demonstrate they are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the economic downturn, but are otherwise deemed by the Small Business Administration to be viable.  The loans will be made by commercial lenders and can be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debts like credit card obligations, mortgages, lines of credit, and balances due to suppliers, vendors, and utilities.  The loans will be available through Sept. 30, 2010, or until appropriated funding runs out.  Visit http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html for more information about the ARC loan program.

The Portland State Business Accelerator (PSBA) program is offering a workshop and online training for federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. This grant program is often utilized by technology entrepreneurs and startups for funding.

1.  SBIR Workshop August 11 at the PSBA: PSBA, PNDC and Oregon Bioscience Association are sponsoring an SBIR training on August 11, complete with federal program managers of SBIR agency programs. Congressman David Wu has agreed to help line up federal SBIR program managers to come to Oregon to talk about opportunities and requirements with their agencies. This is a unique opportunity to talk to the people who set criteria and review SBIR grant proposals. We will provide a half day training on the SBIR program, with the another half day dedicated to program manager sessions. Program Costs: $95. More info will be available within a few weeks at http://www.psba.pdx.edu/programs.

2. SBIR Online Training for Proposal Development  Following the August Session: PSBA is also sponsoring a follow-on training to the August session. It will be online over the course of five weeks and provides hands-on instruction and help to do all the groundwork for an SBIR proposal. Program Costs: $595 for the follow-on online training.

As part of our Organizational Sustainability Plan, the GTA is conducting research about the growth of technology-related businesses in the Gorge in order to document the importance of this sector on the Gorge's economy. The survey also includes a few questions that will improve our ability to carry out our mission of supporting and promoting the Gorge's technology sector.

All past and present GTA members are strongly encouraged to take the survey to help us improve our member benefits.
 
This survey will take approximately 3 to 5 minutes to complete and includes a chance to win 2 bottles of Gorge wine! Click here for the survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JZGky12ZkYEGOqOC0XX3uw_3d_3d