Business News
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mt. Konocti Facilitation and Wells Fargo – California’s top small business lender – announced today that Mt. Konocti Facilitation, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, received a $50,000 grant from Wells Fargo in support of their Extreme Business Makeover Program for Lake County.
Mt. Konocti Facilitation will use the Wells Fargo grant to offer selected Lake County businesses a comprehensive business makeover – a no risk opportunity to help local businesses grow and thrive. The selected businesses will receive guidance and support from a team of business owners, industry leaders and category experts.
The group will work closely with business owners and their team, uncovering opportunities to increase sales, improve cash flow, strengthen operations, enhance training and grow profits.
“Wells Fargo understands the important role that Mt. Konocti Facilitation plays in increasing the productivity and efficiency of small businesses,” said Greg Morgan, Wells Fargo Regional President. “This effort will help strengthen local small businesses, and through our grant, Wells Fargo is supporting this effort to help local businesses become more successful.”
Progress will be monitored and documented during the course of the program to show how targeted assistance can make a positive impact and increase job retention and creation for Lake County businesses. Targeted participants will include small and micro businesses, low and moderate income populations, minority, veterans, disabled and or women-owned businesses.
Mt. Konocti Facilitation, a grass roots economic development organization, has provided assistance opportunities for entrepreneurs and existing businesses in Lake County over the past five years.
“In being awarded this important grant, Mt. Konocti Facilitation will be providing expanded and unique services for six businesses over the next two years,” said Mt. Konocti Facilitation Chair, Melissa Fulton. “This program was made possible with the support of principal funders such as Wells Fargo,” said Fulton,” and is in addition to continuing our regular services for our existing clients.”
A Web site will be launched soon where interested applicants can find additional information and can download an application to be considered for the program through a selection committee.
You can visit www.lakecountyextremebusinessmakeover.com for additional details.
A California nonprofit public benefit corporation, Mt. Konocti Facilitation is able to accept funding from other non-profit economic development organizations, government programs and economic development grants, along with tax-deductible donations from corporations, businesses, foundations, organizations and private citizens.
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The pledge reads as follows:
“I pledge to THINK first of my local economy, SHOP first at my local businesses, and BUY first from local companies who give back so much, in so many ways, to my community. I will make a conscious effort to spend at least 10 percent more in our local communities of Lake County.”
It continues, “I also pledge to encourage at least two (four or six) others to make the same commitment to 'Shop, Stay and Play' more in Lake County through making little changes in shopping, dining and recreational choices for the benefit of all who call Lake County home.”
“Every little bit helps,” said Melissa Fulton, chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
“Most people think you can't find many products and services here,” said Fulton. “To the contrary, most of our businesses can provide what you need if you just ask them. As more businesses register on Shop, Stay and Play, residents will be surprised by how much time and travel they can save by shopping in Lake County versus going over the hill.”
A list of all who take the pledge will be continually updated on the Shop, Stay and Play Web site, and the chamber encourage everyones who takes the pledge to be sure and contact their '2, 4 or 6' and grow the list.
“Locally owned businesses return about 80 percent of each dollar back to our county,” said Fulton. “Every dollar spent returns up to five times its amount through taxes, employees' wages and purchases by businesses at other locally owned businesses. Contrast this to large box stores that contribute as little as 20 percent or less to the communities they are in. And, many big box stores such as Walmart are given tax incentives in some areas, so you're actually paying more than you think you are when you shop there.”
She said that residents don't have to do all their shopping in the county – just more than they're currently doing.
If you regularly on Amazon.com, you can make a difference by buying two to three books out of every five from a Lake County book store – better yet, buy all five here, she said.
“Your efforts to shop local will make a significant difference to the revenue of that business,” she said. “Think about three businesses you regularly frequent, make a commitment to spend at least $25 more each month with them. Encourage your friends to do the same with their 'three businesses.' By employing this mindset, you will be instrumental in helping those businesses sustain themselves so they are still around in a year to continue serving your needs.”
The public is asked to show their support by signing the pledge on the Lake County Chamber's Shop, Stay & Play Facebook page (www.facebook.com/shopstayplay) or by sending an email to
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