HAMMOND | The Hammond INnovation Center, with social media trainer and strategist Kathy Sipple, will be presenting a five-part lunch and learn workshop series on how business owners of all types can leverage online social networking to build their business.

The workshops will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center, 5209 Hohman Ave.

The sessions will be:

July 2: Introduction to Social Media; Learn about the different types of social media platforms and the different ways they can be used to develop contacts and grow your business.

July 15: LinkedIn; LinkedIn is one of the hottest social networking outlets for business. Learn how to communicate and network easily and with little effort.

Aug. 5: Twitter; Reach out to your contacts instantly with updates and information on important events.

Aug. 19: Facebook for Business; Build your network to keep business associates informed by maintaining a dynamic profile.

Sept. 2: Advanced Workshop; Learn advanced techniques on using social media outlets to their fullest potential.

Cost is $25 per session or $100 for the entire series. Registration and payment is required in advance. For more information or to register, call (219) 750-1200 or email innovate@calumet. purdue.edu.

Business feasibility workshop scheduled for June 30

HAMMOND | The Hammond INnovation Center and the Northwest Indiana SBDC will present a business feasibility workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. June 30 at the Hammond INnovation Center at 5209 Hohman Ave., next to the Towle Theatre.

This workshop has been prepared in an effort to assist potential entrepreneurs in the process of starting and operating a business by acquainting them with problems and responsibilities, as well as the opportunities involved in starting and operating a business.

The workshop will help them determine their preparedness and ability to start a business before making a costly and unadvisable decision. Cost is $25 per person.

Registration and payment is required in advance. To register or for more information, contact the Northwest Indiana SBDC at (219) 644-3513.

Agency encourages business owners to get into the Act

Local small-business owners or those who hope to become entrepreneurs attended a briefing on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Tuesday at the Genesis Convention Center in Gary.

Hosted by the Indiana District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the program was an opportunity to present opportunities now available because of the ARRA, said SBA Indiana District Director Gail Gesell.

"We've invited representatives from a variety of federal agencies and from the state of Indiana to share information about elements of the recovery act that would help a small business," Gesell said. "Whether it's to do more business or to get a loan or find tax incentives."

Top SBA lenders and business counselors were also on hand to discuss capital needs and challenges for a small business. Brian Rusin, vice president of commercial lending for People's Bank, offered advice on small-business loans.

"Utilizing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in challenging economic times makes lending from our side easier," he said.

Attendees included Raul Pacheco, who hopes to start a locally based small business catering to the design industry.

"I've been thinking about it for a long time and now I think it's the perfect opportunity," Pacheco said. "Coming away from this, I've learned that there's constant information out there."

For more information, go to sba.gov/in or call (317) 226-7272.

America's Recovery Capital Loan The SBA is rolling out a new program this week called America's Recovery Capital Loan, which is for viable small businesses suffering hardships.