CSU Bakersfield SBDCServing Inyo, Kern, and Mono Counties.
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Current economic conditions, findings from recent small business surveys, and what policy uncertainties may mean for the economic outlook ahead are among topics of this week’s free webinar when economist Mark Evans, emeritus professor from CSU Bakersfield joins SBDC director, Kelly Bearden.

Bearden begins the webinar with a look at available capital resources and key business-related updates.

This marks the 338th 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 sign up to meet with a business advisor at no cost by clicking here!
 
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:48 What’s up today March 12, 2025
03:13 Poll Question #1: “After China, Mexico and Vietnam, which country has the 4th largest trade deficit?”
06:03 Poll Question #2: “What is your biggest business issue right now?
08:20 Kern County deadlines to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/california-wild...
11:09 How the SBDC can assist your business with the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application
13:40 Free Human Resources Hotline for Employers in Central Valley of California
15:56 Kelly introduces economist Dr. Mark Evans, emeritus professor from CSUB
16:45 Dr. Evans begins to speak
19:58 Some small business patterns: Kern versus California
20:33 Takeaway: small business firms & employment: Kern vs. California
22:45 Some Small Business Employment Shares
23:51 Takeaway: Small business payrolls & average pay
27:39 Babson College/Goldman Sachs - Feb. 2025 survey https://www.goldmansachs.com/community-impact/10000-small-businesses-voi...
30:05 NFIB, Small Business Economic Report - Feb 2025 survey https://www.nfib.com/small-business-problems-and-priorities/?tab=Introdu...
33:09 Relative importance of small business problems 1-75 https://www.nfib.com/news-article/nfibs-small-business-economic-trends-s...
34:34 Increase/decrease ranking of problems 2020-2024
35:55 Poll Question #3: Why do you "consume" current economic information and forward looking forecast?
39:35 Some Forecasting quotes
40:10 Why forecasting is difficult
42:07 Survey of Professional Forecasters
44:19 Black Swans and Gray Swans: What 10-Year Forecasts Would Have Missed
45:41 Across-the-board U.S. Policy Uncertainty https://www.policyuncertainty.com/
47:12 A Causation “Story”: The Regional Income Model
48:07 Policy Uncertainties – Things to monitor!
49:01 Federal transfers and entitlements
50:26 Nearly Half of Kern’s Residents Struggle
50:45 Kelly rejoins Dr. Evans for Questions and Answers with webinar attendees
 
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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and a Grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the California SBDC closest to you.