Providing rural residents with the skills and tools needed to create and expand small businesses and engage in job creation activities are the goals of an upcoming regional business conference to be held virtually via Zoom, with a remote location in Prescott.
Funded by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, Arkansas Human Development Corporation, Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, and the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, the 2021 Southwest Arkansas Rural Business Development Conference, with a theme of "Using Existing Resources and Creating Innovative Approaches to Rebuild Rural Arkansas" will bring together approximately 20 private, state, federal and nonprofit organizations with a singular mission of equipping small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and resources to start and expand their businesses, a news release said.
Hosted by the AHDC, Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, and U.S. Small Business Administration, the conference will be held Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom.
For participants without computer access, the conference will also be held, with very limited seating, remotely at Nevada County Library, 121 W. Main St., Prescott. Social distancing, temperature checks, masks, and release forms will be required.
Topics will include but are not limited to, building effective business relationships, securing the right kind of capital, how to sell goods and services to the government, how to use the many services of the ASBTDC to develop or expand a business, and a new afternoon session on personal finance will be conducted.
At 8:30 a.m., a "Breakfast with the Lenders Roundtable" will allow participants to network with local, regional and statewide lenders. Lenders invited to participate include Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, Bank of Delight, Communities Unlimited, Farmers Bank and Trust, FORGE, along with Rural Missouri, Inc., and USDA, Rural Development. The panel discussion will be moderated by Herb Lawrence, Lender Relations Specialist, Arkansas District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration.
"Current business owners and those just getting started, youth entrepreneurs, business and technical school students, apprentices, veterans, faith-based leaders and community and economic development professionals, are invited to attend. You will engage with other business owners, receive help with research and business planning, learn how to increase your networking results and learn to do more business with government and private industry. Dr. Karama Neal, Administrator for Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA Rural Development, will deliver the luncheon address.
"Don't miss the opportunity to help your community create needed JOBS by learning valuable tools to help your small business grow! And, innovate," the release said.
Register by calling Arkansas Human Development Corporation toll-free at 800-482-7641 or 501-374-1103, ext. 10, or visit https://bit.ly/2tuT7Qh.