The Shoals Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, membership organization which works closely with local, state and federal government to help promote a positive business climate for the Shoals, although it is not a government entity.
The Shoals Chamber is dedicated to bolstering economic growth through legislative involvement. By supporting initiatives that help reduce the cost of doing business in the Shoals, the Chamber champions a competitive regional business climate to compete in the national market.
Vision
The Shoals Chamber of Commerce is the bridge to an educated, productive workforce; an innovative, pro-business climate; and a connected, diverse community.
Mission
Enhancing the economic vitality of the Shoals through advocacy, connectivity, and education.
AL Workforce Stabilization Program (AWSP) is funding for employee training available for all business types & sizes, it’s extremely flexible on the type of training, and can be for 1 – 1,000+ employees!
If you have questions or want to discuss how this funding could help your training efforts, please contact Andrew Robbins (256-331-5218) at NWSCC.
AL Workforce Stabilization Program (AWSP)
The Alabama Workforce Stabilization program is AT-NO-COST to the Employer and is designed to help Alabama businesses avoid lay-offs, upskill current employees, and develop talent pipelines.
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Provide entry level employment for “new to the workforce” participants
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Hire new talent with On-the-Job Training assistance
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Incentivize workers to stay with the company by providing upskilling through Incumbent Worker Training programs
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Train supervisors and managers to identify mental health issues that affect the production and efficiency of the employee. The University of Alabama VitAL program will provide all AWSP employers Mental Health First Aid Training
Small businesses are eligible for two tax incentives to help cover the cost of providing reasonable accommodations for employees or customers with disabilities, such as sign language interpreters, readers, materials in an alternative format (such as Braille or large print), the purchase of adaptive equipment, the modification of existing equipment, or the removal of architectural barriers.
The Empowerment Zone Employment Credit is an incentive for businesses located in an Empowerment Zone to hire employees who live in the zone, earning a tax credit of up to $3,000 per eligible employee.
The Federal Bonding Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, serves as a tool to secure the job placement of ex-offenders and other high-risk applicants by issuing Fidelity bonds to businesses who offer jobs to workers in "at-risk" groups. These bonds are business insurance policies that protect the employer in case of any loss of money or property due to employee dishonesty.
The Renewal Community Employment Credit allows companies located within a Renewal Community to earn a tax credit of up to $1,500 for each of their employees who lives in the community
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program encourages employers to hire specific groups of job seekers by offering a federal income tax credit that reduces the employer's tax liability.
Shoals Economic Development Authority (EDA) - is a professional organization dedicated to economic development in Northwest Alabama, including Lauderdale and Colbert Counties. Shoals EDA provides assistance to companies planning new or expanded facilities. The Authority serves as a point of contact to the network of private sector and local, state, and federal government entities that support a company relocation or expansion decision.
The Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG), is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency created by the local governments.It is a voluntary Association of 37 governmental units in the five county region of Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Marion, and Winston Counties along with the municipalities therein. NACOLG is not a government, but is an extension of city and county government through which officials meet to decide issues of region-wide importance and work together to solve problems that stretch beyond local government boundaries.
BCA is Alabama's most powerful and effective advocate for business at the Alabama Legislature and in the U.S. Congress. BCA is the exclusive affiliate in Alabama of the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Alabama Small Business Development Center network is a statewide, inter-institutional program to enhance economic growth in Alabama by providing management and technical assistance to small businesses. Professional Business Advisors are available in 10 Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located at our member university partners across the state.
How Alabama SBDC can help your business:
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ALDOT - DBE* Business Development Program
(*DBE - Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
LABOR REPORTING
EMPLOYER GUIDE
DISABILITY RESOURCES
EMPLOYER ASSISTANCE
HIRING INCENTIVES
HR Dive provides in-depth journalism and insight into the most impactful news and trends shaping human resources. The newsletters and website cover topics such as talent acquisition, learning and development, diversity and inclusion, compensation, benefits, onboarding, and more.
Providing employers with a toolkit of resources they can use — free of charge — to help them prepare, prevent, and respond to this crisis. Helping employees break the bonds of addiction, get and stay healthy, keeps them creative, innovative and productive. And that makes Arkansas strong.
Employment Law Handbook is a resource to help employers find the information you need on state and federal laws. Designed to assist employers, including small businesses, and employees find answers to employment and labor law questions, Employment Law Handbook (site) also covers many different areas of labor law including wage payment, discrimination, workplace safety, unemployment, and many others.