At the close of 2009, the unemployment rate settled near 14 percent in San Bernardino County. As we begin 2010, labor market data indicates that economic pressures will continue to challenge the businesses that employ our county's workforce. The county's Board of Supervisors and Workforce Investment Board are geared up this year to assist business owners in ways that will improve their day-to-day functions and lessen the stresses that impact their time and operating funds.

Health care is quickly becoming one of the most heavily debated issues of this year, and health care reform is the focus of discussion in the media and among leaders of our local business community.

It is no secret that the cost of health care in this country continues to rise and impact small and mid-sized businesses and their employees. Historically, the U.S. health care system has imposed a heavier tax on smaller businesses. On average, a small business owner pays 18 percent more than larger firms for health insurance according to a recent report by the Council of Economic Advisers. As a result, there has been a decreasing trend of businesses who offer health insurance in recent years, primarily due to cost. During times of economic recession, expensive health care coverage is a cost that business owners review when looking for ways to cut their budgets and remain stable.

In an effort to help the business community understand health care reform and the impact it many have on employers, California State University, San Bernardino's College of Business and Public Administration, in partnership with Chairman and Fourth District Supervisor Gary Ovitt and the county's Workforce Investment Board, has organized a health care forum on Feb. 5. The event will feature a series of regional and local experts that will help businesses owners answer questions on how new measures could impact their business. The forum will also bring businesses up to speed on how the health care system has developed historically, address current events and legislation, and what we can expect to unfold, so they can better navigate the system.

CEOs, human resource professionals, health care practitioners and entrepreneurs will benefit from participation in this candid discussion and take with them the information they need to successfully apply future health care legislation.

Supporting the business community is a priority of the Board of Supervisors and Workforce Investment Board. By providing business owners the resources and information they need to remain stable in this challenging economy, the county can help preserve jobs. The health care forum is one of many projects and programs the county is working on to alleviate added stress on businesses owners and help them operated more efficiently.

Last month it launched the San Bernardino Business Network, in partnership with the California Employers Association, which will provide a countywide human resource hotline and a series of employer workshops free of charge. The hotline and workshops are dedicated to assisting the county's 60,000 businesses with human resource information and advice. This program was made possible by the Workforce Investment Board, which obligated $70,000 to the project.

During the next year the Workforce Investment Board will continue to use American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to assist businesses in any that is can to ensure their success.

SandyHarmsen is the executive director for the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board. She can be reached via (909) 387-9862.