January 2025 Edition

Asian Pacific Islander Business Community of Colorado Springs (API-BC) is brought to you by the Asian Chamber of Commerce Colorado Small Business Initiative.

Happy Lunar New Year

The Year of the Wood Snake is here, bringing themes of renewal, wisdom, and prosperity. Here’s how your business can align with 2025’s energy for success:

• Focus on Growth: The Wood element encourages flexibility and long-term planning. Nurture your business relationships and adapt to changing trends.
• Trust Your Intuition: Like the snake, tap into your instincts for strategic decision-making and innovation.
• Transform and Thrive: Shed old strategies and embrace new opportunities to stay ahead.
• Prioritize Community: Build strong support networks with customers and collaborators to weather challenges.

Business Resources

Colorado Springs Utilities - Small Business Efficiency Program

Reduce your utility expenses with free energy and water assessments, leak repairs, and efficient retrofits to improve efficiency (and save you money) in the New Year.

The new Small Business Efficiency Assistance Program allows wequalified commercial customers to receive up to $10,000 of efficient water and energy-saving equipment installed at NO COST.

Learn More

Capital/Funding Programs

• Colorado Startup Loan Fund: The Colorado Startup Loan Fund provides loan capital to mission-based lenders to provide loans to Colorado entrepreneurs and small business owners needing capital to start, restart, or restructure a business, and those who are not able to obtain a loan from traditional lenders.
• CLIMBER: These loans provide up to $250 million in working capital loans to Colorado small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Colorado Credit Reserve: This credit enhancement is for businesses that typically struggle to get access to a bank loan.
• Cash Collateral Support: This credit enhancement helps small and medium-sized businesses in Colorado access loans that they would otherwise not get because they do not have enough collateral.
• Colorado State Small Business Credit Initiative: As a part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act, the federal government passed the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) bill to fund small business credit support and investment programs.

El Paso County Business Resources Event

Date: February 12, 4:30-5:30 PM

Topics: Enterprise Zone State Income Tax Credit Program, El Paso County Business Loan Fund Program The following guest speakers will also give a presentation about their agencies' free business resources and programs: Pikes Peak Workforce Center Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center City of Colorado Springs The Thrive Network

Register

Colorado Companies to Watch Awards

Nominating a company for the Colorado Companies to Watch (CCTW) awards is a meaningful way to recognize and support second-stage businesses that significantly contribute to the state's economic vitality. These companies are pivotal in job creation, innovation, and community enrichment.

Learn more

Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Free Business Consulting: At no charge, you can meet with a business consultant who understands your situation and can devise an action plan to progress your company. Areas of consulting can include but are not limited to: business plan development, marketing strategy, registration and licensing, start-up and financing preparation. Free translation services are also available for your consulting sessions!

Community Updates and Upcoming Events

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum -- Lunar New Year: Year of the Snake

Feb 8: 10 AM - 1 PM

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum - 215 S. Tejon St. - Learn more

Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Southern Colorado -- Sips and Stories

Feb 8: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

The Kamayan Hideaway - 411 Lakewood Circle - Learn more

Iris and Rodney Gullatte Foundation -- Captain America Brave New World - Advanced Screening

Feb 13: 6 - 9:30 PM

1818 Spring Water Pt - Get tickets

Golden Lotus Foundation -- Lunar New Year Lunch Buffet

Feb 15: 11:30 AM - 2 PM

Tasty Korean Restaurant - 1609 Lashelle Way - RSVP or learn more

El Pomar - Elevating Leadership Development -- Quarter 1 - Asian Pacific Islander Advisory Council Meeting

Feb 20: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Penrose House - 1661 Mesa Ave - RSVP

Observer Ranch -- Planetary Playtime with Penrose Parks and Rec

Feb 21: 1 - 3 PM

4509 CR 123, Penrose, CO 81240 - Learn More

Baon Supper Club -- Pagmamahal Ng Lasa (For the Love of Flavor) Pop Up Dinner

Feb 21: 6 - 10 PM

Carter Payne - 320 S Weber St - Get tickets

Board Opportunities

Golden Lotus Foundation

GLF seeking volunteers and Board of Directors (BOD) applicants for cultural events, fundraising, carrying out GLF mission, vision and goals. Provide inquiry contact information on www.GoldenLotusFoundation.org/contact, Cynthia Aki 719 271-5050. Many thanks!

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