COCC Center for Business

10/08/2026

Small business support is now even more accessible across Central Oregon.

COCC’s Small Business Development Center now offers recurring in-person business advising hours in Redmond, Prineville, Madras and Sisters, giving entrepreneurs and small business owners more opportunities to connect with an SBDC adviser close to home.

📍 Redmond: Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
COCC Redmond campus, Building 3, Room 334

📍 Prineville: Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
COCC Prineville campus, Room 104

📍 Sisters: Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m.
The Hub by Citizens4Community, 291 E. Main Ave.

📍 Madras: Mondays, 1-4:30 p.m.
COCC Madras campus, Building 1, Office 111

Appointments are encouraged, though walk-ins are welcome as availability permits. Schedule at cocc.edu/businessadvising.

SBDC advisers provide confidential, one-on-one support for entrepreneurs and businesses at all stages, with guidance on business planning, accessing capital, financial management, marketing, growth strategies and more.

10/01/2026

Build your skills. Strengthen your team. Grow your business.

Whether you’re taking the next step in your career or running a business here in Central Oregon, our Center for Business offers practical learning and support to help you move forward:

✅ Professional development in leadership, management, communication, technology and project management.
✅ License and certification training to support your career goals.
✅ No-cost business advising and business education through the Small Business Development Center.
✅ Customized training built around your organization’s needs, available on campus, at your workplace or online.

Have a training need you don’t see offered? Let’s talk about what your team needs.

Explore the possibilities at cocc.edu/centerforbusiness or 541-383-7575

09/29/2026

🚨 Last call for small business owners!

There’s still time to join COCC’s Small Business Management Program — but don’t wait too long. Application deadline is this Wednesday, September 30.

Designed for business owners who want to strengthen their operations, make more informed decisions, and build a stronger foundation for the future, this program is an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and focus on your business.

If you’ve been thinking about joining, now is the time!

👉 Learn more about the program at cocc.edu/sbm

09/24/2026

Most small business owners don't lack great ideas. They lack the dedicated space, accountability, and funding to execute them.

If you're ready to test your next big goal—whether that's a new location, product line, or revenue stream—you don't have to build in a silo.

COCC’s Small Business Management Program pairs practical instruction with 1-on-1 coaching and a tight-knit cohort of other Central Oregon business owners.

Program Benefits:
- Move one high-priority business goal from idea to action
- Get one-on-one guidance tailored to your business
- Test ideas and solve challenges with fellow business owners
- Stay accountable as you implement your strategy
- Present your plan at a live pitch event for a chance to earn a share of $6,500!

Spots are limited to keep cohort sizes small and high-impact.

⏰ Applications close September 30.

Learn more and apply here: cocc.edu/sbm

09/23/2026

¿Habla español? Build the confidence to say “¡Sí!” in the workplace. 🌎💬

Spanish for Customer Service is a practical course designed for anyone who wants to learn basic Spanish skills for communicating with Spanish-speaking customers and community members.

You’ll practice useful customer service phrases and conversations for common workplace interactions — skills you can put to use right away.

Wednesdays, Oct. 7-Nov. 4
3-4:30 p.m.
COCC Bend Campus
$199
Instructor: David Engel

Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/gVyF50ZOTh2

09/16/2026

Learn more about our new series: Crook County Management and Supervision Series. Thank you to the Central Oregonian for highlighting this program. For more information or to register visit https://www.enrole.com/cocc/jsp/session.jsp?sessionId=FA26CCMANAGEMENTSERIESPRI.1&courseId=CCMANAGEMENTSERIES&categoryId=25EB3CB0

Looking for help with management skills? COCC has a new course that might be a good fit.
https://centraloregonian.com/2026/09/16/cocc-offering-new-management-series-in-prineville/

09/15/2026

Ready to launch a new product, open another location, develop a new revenue stream, or finally pursue the reason you started your business in the first place? The Small Business Management Program is built for owners who are ready to move and ready to pursue their version of the American Dream.

COCC’s Small Business Management Program helps established business owners turn their next big idea into a tested, actionable plan. Over nine months, you’ll work alongside a small cohort of local business owners while receiving practical instruction, one-on-one coaching and candid feedback.

The program is structured around five practical principles designed to help you move an idea from concept to action:
1. Planning: Learn new frameworks and mapping techniques for effective business modeling.
2. Reconnaissance: Test your assumptions through small, lower-risk bets before going all in.
3. Security: Develop trusted relationships and meet potential collaborators in a small cohort of fellow Central Oregon small business leaders.
4. Control: Bring your new concepts to life and sell them better. Develop a slide deck and elevator pitch that actually lands.
5. Common Sense: Get your plan resourced and compete for a share of $6,500 in seed capital.

Applications are being accepted until September 30, but space is limited to just 15 participants. To learn more and apply, visit cocc.edu/sbm.

09/11/2026

Feeling stuck on a business challenge, new project, or big decision?

Mind mapping can help you see the big picture, organize complex ideas, uncover connections, and turn possibilities into action.

Join **Mind Mapping for Clarity and Organization**, a hands-on workshop for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone looking for a practical way to bring more clarity to a busy life or new project.

You’ll create a mind map around a real challenge or opportunity and leave with greater clarity, new insights, and actionable next steps.

📅 Thursday, Sept. 24
1:30-3:45 p.m.
COCC Bend Campus; $99

Ready to turn your ideas into a clearer path forward? Register today. https://ow.ly/kj2l50ZLHTP

08/27/2026

Ready to add a valuable skill to your resume or take the next step toward becoming a licensed tax preparer? 📊

COCC’s Oregon Tax Preparer Training is a 14-week online course designed to help prepare you for the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners Licensed Tax Preparer exam.

Led by Patricia King, a licensed tax consultant and enrolled agent with 35 years of experience, the course includes interactive instruction and hands-on tax preparation practice.

Sept. 14-Dec. 7
Mondays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., plus select Sundays
Online via Zoom
$789
Printed materials are mailed before class begins

Register by Aug. 31!

Learn more and register:https://ow.ly/iTjR50ZC0qs

08/25/2026

Crook County training, for Crook County professionals.

This fall, COCC’s Center for Business is bringing a three-part, hands-on management series to the COCC Prineville Campus!

Whether you supervise a team, manage day-to-day operations, own a business, or are preparing to take on more management responsibility, this three-part series focuses on skills you can put to work right away:

🔹 Supervising Teams
🔹 Working With Difficult Customers
🔹 Recruiting and Retaining Great Employees

Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 1
8:30 a.m. to noon
COCC Crook County Open Campus, Prineville
Instructor: Jeff Kitchens

Take the full series for the most comprehensive experience and save, or choose the individual courses that best fit your professional development needs.
Full series: $1,399
Individual courses: $499 each

Invest in your team. Strengthen your organization. And do it right here in Crook County. 💙

Register Today: https://ow.ly/IJ5N50ZBGg2

Group rates and direct invoicing are available. For more information, call 541-383-7575 or email [email protected]