Columbia Gorge SBDC Announces 9-Month Management Programs for Local Retail and Restaurant Owners and Staff

Sep 25

Written By Columbia Community Connection

From Columbia Gorge Community College Small Business Development Center:

By Tom Penberthy

Hood River, Ore., Sept. 25, 2026 — The Columbia Gorge Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has announced the launch of two comprehensive, nine-month business accelerator cohorts designed specifically for local business owners, managers, and key employees: the Retail Small Business Management Program and the Restaurant Small Business Management Program.

Running from October through June, both programs pair interactive monthly expert-led workshops with personalized, 1-on-1 monthly business advising to help independent businesses scale profitability, streamline operations, and master financial and digital management.

To ensure cost is not a barrier for local entrepreneurs and their staff, full and partial scholarships are available for both programs:

Retail Small Business Management Program: Generous partner funding covers 100% of the program cost, providing full $900 scholarships so participants can join at no cost (automatically applied during registration while funds last).
Restaurant Small Business Management Program: Limited $700 scholarships are available toward the standard $900 tuition (reducing out-of-pocket costs to $200), assuming participant commitment to attend the workshops and advising sessions. Scholarships may also cover a second employee from the same operation, costing only an additional $99 (contact the SBDC for details for the additional scholarship).

Program Details

1. Retail Small Business Management Program

Format: Online via Zoom (Livestreamed on the first Monday of each month)
Start Date: Monday, October 5
Cost: $0 with full $900 scholarship (limited availability)
Topics Covered: Customer experience, visual merchandising, business finance, digital marketing, AI tools for small business, hiring/HR best practices, legal considerations, and inventory management.
Registration: Register for Retail SBM

2. Restaurant Small Business Management Program

Format: In-Person at CGCC Hood River Campus (with select off-site sessions hosted by pFriem Brewing, Bargeway Pub, and Lightwell Hotel & Spa)
Start Date: Tuesday, October 13
Cost: $200 after applying the $700 scholarship
Topics Covered: Financial fluency, employee retention with guest industry leaders, profit management, digital sales, seasonal menu planning, bar management, legal contracts, exit planning, and practical AI adoption.
Registration: Register for Restaurant SBM

Why Attend?

Designed for established business owners, operational managers, and high-potential employees looking to take on leadership roles, these programs build cohort-style networks of regional peers. Participants gain actionable skills to tackle the top challenges facing small businesses today, from labor retention and food/inventory cost containment to digital marketing and financial literacy.

How to Apply & Register

Spaces and scholarships are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Business owners and employees can learn more and register directly online:

Retail SBM Registration: clients.oregonsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=140460030
Restaurant SBM Registration: clients.oregonsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=140460016

For questions regarding program fit, start-up inquiries, or scholarship details, contact center Director Gregory Price at gprice@cgcc.edu or 541-506-6120 or Lead Adviser Josiah Dean at jdean@cgcc.edu.

About the Oregon SBDC Network

The Oregon SBDC Network is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Additional funding is provided by the Oregon Business Development Department and Columbia Gorge Community College. For full funding disclosure, visit OregonSBDC.org/about. Oregon SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language services are available for limited-English-proficient individuals.