$150,000 in grants will be awarded to SBDC clients when the Enterprize Challenge Grants are announced this month.

This business plan competition, which is sponsored by Amarillo Economic Development Corporation and administered by the WTAMU Enterprise Network, is open to basic businesses headquartered in the Amarillo area.  While working with the SBDC is not a requirement, in this year's contest, all five finalists are SBDC clients.

The five finalists below will make a presentation to a panel of independent judges who will pass their grant recommendations on the Amarillo Economic Development Board.

• itassistonline.com - Developer of a Web-based technology tool for network and data protection
• Air Oasis - Manufacturer of residential and commercial air purification systems
• Drug Assistant LLC - A software development company specializing in solutions for the health care industry
• Country Harmony Plastics Inc. - A custom plastics rotational molding company
• Children's Home Healthcare - A pediatric home health care agency

The National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program has just announced that its 2006 cost-share grant application cycle is now open.  Grant applications may be submitted until April 28th.  Awards will be announced on or before July 7th.  For a grant application and guidelines, visit www.cr.nps.gov/rt66/grnts, or call 505-988-6701.

Employee Interviewing, Recruitment, Retention

Co-sponsored by the Nonprofit Service Center of the Amarillo Area Foundation, The Panhandle Human Resource Association, and Amarillo Community Federal Credit Union

Would you rather hire someone looking for a job, or someone looking for a better job? If the latter is what you are looking for you need to make sure you are using every channel available to get candidates into you system.   more

How to Become a Better Communicator

Essential communication skills training for managers, supervisors, team leaders and others

Powerful communications skills can propel you along the path to career success and personal achievement. They can lead to promotions, to working more effectively with your boss and co-workers, to building better relationships with the important people in your life and to establishing your leadership potential.   more

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