CSU BAKERSFIELD SBDC

“Small businesses have long been regarded as the “engine” of the nation’s economy,” writes SBDC Director Kelly Bearden in this Community Voices article that first published in the Opinion Section of The Bakersfield Californian newspaper on May 10, 2025.

On this week’s free webinar, host and SBDC director, Kelly Bearden will be joined by Kern County Assistant Administrative Officer Stacy Kuwahara, and Chief Workforce Development Officer Brandon Evans to discuss a variety of resources available to help small businesses. 

Kuwahara will give an update on the Kern Biz Façade Improvement Grant, and an overview of the online Kern Economic Development Dashboard that includes a property search tool, various state, local and national incentives for businesses, and quarterly updates of local job-related information.    

Evans will provide details of the free on-the-job training program available to businesses through Employers’ Training Resource, and ETR’s ability to help pay for job candidates to go through the training. 

“Webinar Wednesday” will be online Wednesday, Sept. 10 from noon to 1 p.m. 

Bearden will begin the webinar with a look at strategies to start, grow and expand existing businesses. 

Questions from attendees will be taken.

This marks the 358^th episode of the “Webinar Wednesday” business series that provides news and information helpful to employers and business owners. 

The CSU Bakersfield SBDC provides free one-on-one help to small business owners. New and existing businesses can go to https://csubsbdc.com/ for more information or to sign up to meet with a business advisor at no cost.  

Whether you’re expanding operations, tackling compliance challenges, or considering automation, our advisors are ready to support you. We offer California manufacturers no-cost one-on-one advising, valuable resources, and strategic connections to enhance efficiency and drive profitability.

Whether you’re expanding operations, tackling compliance challenges, or considering automation, our advisors are ready to support you. We offer California manufacturers no-cost one-on-one advising, valuable resources, and strategic connections to enhance efficiency and drive profitability.

Whether you’re expanding operations, tackling compliance challenges, or considering automation, our advisors are ready to support you. We offer California manufacturers no-cost one-on-one advising, valuable resources, and strategic connections to enhance efficiency and drive profitability.