Meetings designed to encourage small businesses to start up and grow in rural Iowa will be held in five cities statewide next month. Bill Menner is the state director of rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Menner says several agencies are involved in the meetings, including the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Menner says, “We’re bringing together a number of different small business service providers to really give a snapshot of what’s available to folks across the state.” They will be targeting small business owners, bankers, economic developers, regional leaders and elected officials. He says the Regional Business Forums will offer a host of topics and they’ll all run just two hours, from 9:30 to 11:30 A.M.
“We’ll be talking about basic access to business support and business resources, access to capital, which is a big issue right now,” Menner says. There will also be an emphasis on encouraging the growth of local food initiatives. The seminars are planned for August 10th in Ames, August 11th in Sioux City, August 12th in Red Oak, August 17th in Cedar Falls and August 18th in Ottumwa.
To register for one of the events, visit: “www.sba.gov/ia/desmo/” and click on the “Spotlight” section.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City
