Chambers Business Luncheon
Empire Electric will discuss new rate issues at the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon, Wednesday, Dec. 5 at noon at J Fargos Restaurant at 1209 E. Main in Cortez.
In January 2013 electric rates are scheduled to go up an average of 4.9 percent due to an increase in the cost of purchased electricity from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. Because 75 percent of Empire Electrics total expense comes from this purchase, Empire then has to pass these costs on to consumers. Empire delivers electricity generated by Tri-State to each customer in its service territory. In addition to the 4.9 percent increase, Tri-State is implementing a new rate design that includes time-of-day energy pricing and seasonally differentiated average demand rates.
Residents are encouraged to come and learn about what you will need to do to budget and plan for this change.
Call Dena at 565-3414 for information.
Leading Edge business skills course for farmers, ranchers
Registration is open for Tilling the Soil of Opportunity, a business skills course for farmers and ranchers. Experienced and new farmers, ranchers, and agriculture-related businesses are invited to attend the Leading Edge Tilling the Soil of Opportunity course offered by the SW Colorado Small Business Development Center. This innovative, farmer-friendly course teaches the art of better agricultural business practices. Participants will be guided step-by-step to develop ideas and learn how to research markets, set prices, create financial statements, manage cash flow, manage for healthy land, plan for a profit, find resources and gain access to business professionals. A tuition fee of $280 covers two people from the same farm or business. This includes 36 hours of instruction, five hours of counseling with a business advisor, and workbook materials. Scholarships are available. The class will be held on Saturday afternoons at the Mancos Public Library starting January 19 through March 23. Please register by January 10 to secure a seat. For details on schedule and to register, contact SBDC at 247-7009 or Cindy Dvergsten at 882-4222 or wnc@gobrainstorm.net.