The facility, which is projected to open in the spring, will allow farmers and food entrepreneurs to process their food in a commercial kitchen. It will have a wet side (for sauces, jams, jellies, etc.) and a dry side for baking, as well as product, refrigerated and frozen storage. It will have equipment that may be beyond the reach of many food businesses to own individually, including walk-in coolers, freezers, bottle fillers, ovens and meat grinders. The basic hourly rental fee is $25.

The facility also will provide food certification, and will also offer classes on starting food-based businesses.

Food is a big business in North Carolina, and the lack of public processing centers has been a real barrier to small food entrepreneurs. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture offers classes and other resources to support this segment of the economy. The NC State Department of Food (technically, the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Services) offers additional services and supplies.

The $1.2 million facility was funded by N.C. Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, the Tobacco Trust Fund, the Golden Leaf Foundation, the U.S. Housing & Urban Economic Development Initiative Program, the RAFI-USA Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Program, and the N.C. Department of Agricultural & Consumer Services Specialty Crop Program.

This is the place for you if:

• You are thinking about starting a business and have questions for an attorney;
• You tried to form your own corporation or LLC and don’t know if you did it right;
• You have a contract to be reviewed;
• You have questions about how to protect your company’s name or other intangible assets;
• You need help collecting money from your customers;
• You’ve received a legal notice you don’t understand;
  ]]> http://nclawlife.com/2010/10/04/corporate-legal-clinic-on-october-22-2010/feed/ 1 http://nclawlife.com/2009/11/25/despite-the-recession-what-is-your-business-thankful-for/ http://nclawlife.com/2009/11/25/despite-the-recession-what-is-your-business-thankful-for/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:57:32 +0000 Donna Ray Berkelhammer http://nclawlife.com/?p=504 There is dire economic news out there &endash; 11 percent unemployment in North Carolina, drastic losses of state construction jobs, business credit is harder to come by.

  Yet, I am seeing an increase in people starting new businesses or buying existing businesses.

  I was speaking with some small business owners last week who were surprised at just how few of their colleagues were filing for bankruptcy. This recession has made companies more efficient and more aware of every cent. People are hanging on, and continuing to fuel our economy and provide jobs.

  I am thankful for these entrepreneurs who are willing to take risks and to gut it out. What are you thankful for?

  ]]> http://nclawlife.com/2009/11/25/despite-the-recession-what-is-your-business-thankful-for/feed/ 1 http://nclawlife.com/2009/10/15/durham-15th-best-midsized-metro-area-to-launch-a-business/ http://nclawlife.com/2009/10/15/durham-15th-best-midsized-metro-area-to-launch-a-business/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:51:25 +0000 Donna Ray Berkelhammer http://nclawlife.com/?p=486 Fortune Magazine this week issued its list of best metro areas in which to launch a business. Durham is 15th on that list for midsized areas.

  Here is what Fortune said:

  To hear local entrepreneurs tell it, Durham is putting the D in diversity. Once known for tobacco and textiles, today it’s part of The Research Triangle, the world’s largest research and development center. The city is home to an array of high-tech, medical and financial services companies, as well as federal agencies and educational institutions.

  The locals are a highly educated bunch: Duke University, North Carolina Central University and Durham Technical Community College employ and train area residents. Business support organizations like the Institute for Minority Economic Development and the Women’s Business Center offer the resources entrepreneurs need to thrive.

  The city’s strong sense of community helps its assorted enterprises and individuals come together. It’s the kind of place where businesses embrace struggling local schools by donating supplies, volunteering classroom speakers and hosting field trips.

  Living, business and construction costs remain low compared to national averages. Another local perk: Durham offers plenty of ways to unwind after a hard day’s work, from kayaking and hiking to performance art and gallery tours.

  I’d love to hear from people who have started in Durham and in other places. What has the Bull City experience been like?

  ]]> http://nclawlife.com/2009/10/15/durham-15th-best-midsized-metro-area-to-launch-a-business/feed/ 0 http://nclawlife.com/2009/04/01/survey-says-entrepreneurs-growing-more-confident-is-it-true/ http://nclawlife.com/2009/04/01/survey-says-entrepreneurs-growing-more-confident-is-it-true/#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:03:06 +0000 Donna Ray Berkelhammer http://nclawlife.com/?p=209 According to a recent survey by Discover Financial Services Small Business Watch, 90 percent of people surveyed continue to rate the economy as fair to poor, unchanged from February. But a greater percentage of small business owners see economic conditions for their businesses improving, and fewer people see conditions getting worse. An excerpt from the report:

  March Highlights:

  • The number of small business owners who say the economy is getting worse dropped to 60 percent, down from 69 percent the previous month and significantly below the all-time high of 79 percent reached in June 2008. Those who see the economy getting better rose from 12 percent to 16 percent.
  • 24 percent of owners see economic conditions for their businesses improving, up from 19 percent in February and the highest response in this category since August 2008. Similarly, 47 percent see conditions getting worse, down from 54 percent in February.
  • 41 percent of owners say they have experienced temporary cash flow issues over the past 90 days, basically unchanged from 42 percent in February.
  • Views of the current economy remained constant: 90 percent rated the economy as fair or poor in March, unchanged from February.
  • 48 percent of owners say they plan to decrease spending on business development over the next six months, a drop from 51 percent in February; while 21 percent plan to increase spending and 29 percent will make no changes.

  This report surveys businesses with five or more employees, which would include the bulk of my clients. I know my business clients are closely monitoring their cash flow and bottom lines. So far, I have not had to counsel them on layoffs, and a few are actually growing. After a very slow fall and winter, I am seeing business activity pick up.

  How do you feel about the local business climate?

  ]]> http://nclawlife.com/2009/04/01/survey-says-entrepreneurs-growing-more-confident-is-it-true/feed/ 2