Inyo County Business Resource Center reports early client work, outreach and partnerships

The Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center reported first-quarter activity on April 15, detailing advisory work with more than a dozen local businesses, monthly “empower hours,” facility use by partners and ongoing efforts to secure longer-term funding and staffing.

The update, delivered by Meryl Piccard, director of the Business Resource Center and presented through the county’s deputy chief administrative officer, described services ranging from business planning and branding to HR and procurement workshops. Piccard said the center has begun advising business owners on employee handbooks, financing and website development and hosted a recent staffing-and-payroll lunch session attended by more than 10 business owners.

The Business Resource Center, run by the Sierra Business Council (a nonprofit), opened in December 2024 with support from the Bakersfield Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Inyo County. Piccard said the center aims to address gaps for geographically isolated businesses across Inyo, Mono and Alpine counties by offering free or low-cost technical assistance and a staffed meeting space for training and partners.

“We have engaged with over a dozen small business owners, delivering on our promise to develop comprehensive support and resources,” Piccard said. She described a recent client engagement with Blue Heron Farms on strategic planning and the launch of recurring “empower hours” covering topics requested by business owners, and said the center plans additional sessions on Canva basics, strategic planning and a panel on business successes and failures.

Piccard said the center is already hosting partner meetings such as a local Mastermind group of small business owners, a regional economic development roundtable and planned procurement workshops intended to include county purchasing and Caltrans representatives. She also described efforts to coordinate with the Bakersfield SBDC: center staff refer clients to SBDC advisors and follow up with clients to confirm follow-through.

Piccard said the center has one additional staff member in Mammoth and is building volunteer coverage and informal options to keep the space staffed when she is working elsewhere. She also described active conversations about future funding, including a tribal set-aside that Owens Valley Career Development Center (OVCDC) might pursue and opportunities to use catalyst funding through February 2026.

Supervisor comments at the meeting praised the facility build-out and early usage and encouraged continued outreach to South County businesses and existing chambers. Piccard said she plans quarterly updates to the board.

The presentation did not result in board action; the board asked for continued reports and follow-up on funding and partnership development.