A series of free business planning workshops is being offered for very small businesses in El Dorado County. Start-up and existing small businesses with five or fewer employees, including the business owner, may attend the workshops at no cost.

Certain income requirements apply. Businesses must be located in the unincorporated area of El Dorado County.

Topics include: business survival skills, communication tools and organization, market analysis and marketing strategies, operations and financing, cash management, licensing and permits, forecasting and more.

The workshops will be conducted by professionals from the Northeastern Small Business Development Center. Funding for the workshops is provided by a Federal Community Development Block Grant administered locally through the El Dorado County Housing, Community and Economic Development Program.

The 12-week workshop series will be offered in several locations:

South Lake Tahoe: Every Thursday, beginning Nov. 1, from 9am-noon at the El Dorado County Library, located at 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.

Placerville: Every Tuesday, beginning Oct. 30, from 9am-noon at the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, located at 542 Main St.

Cameron Park: Every Wednesday, beginning Oct. 31, from 9am-noon at Burke Junction, located at 3300 Coach Lane, Suite A-9, (in the All Aboard Room).

For individuals who are unable to clear their calendars to attend the first session of the workshop, arrangements may be made for a separate session to cover the information at a later date. In addition to the workshop series, small business owners may also be eligible for no-cost one-on-one business consulting.

Space is limited at the workshop series. Preregistration is required. To enroll in the workshop series, or to learn more about the program and its requirements, please contact Clarissa Correa at (916) 563.3210 or send an email to info@sbdc.net.