Six counties in north central Iowa are joining forces to sponsor an Entrepreneur Expo Tuesday in Fort Dodge. The goal is to create a one-day, one-stop place for people who want to open a business but don’t know how. Cliff Weldon is executive director of MIDAS, the Mid-Iowa Development Association Council of Governments.

Weldon says, “There are many, many agencies, both private and governmental, that are interested in helping new business owners get started and unfortunately, sometimes it’s tough if you’re just starting a business to know where to go for those services.” By getting everyone in the same big room, Weldon says the expo should make it easier for hopeful business owners to start turning their dreams into reality.

“We’ll have bankers, we’ll have attorneys, MIDAS will be there talking about revolving loan funds, we’ll have realtors, just a wide variety of people,” Weldon says. “Anyone who’s interested in starting a business will be able to go from table to table and talk to these experts about the services that are available.”

The expo will run Tuesday from 2 to 7 P.M. at Iowa Central Community College in the Bioscience and Health Science Building in Fort Dodge. MIDAS covers Calhoun, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster and Wright counties. Learn more at the Midas website: “www.midascog.net

By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City