Rebuilding and retooling rural communities are hot topics in Arkansas these days and will be thoroughly discussed at an upcoming regional conference to be held in Hope, Arkansas. Funded by Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, Arkansas Human Development Corporation and United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, the 2017 Southwest Arkansas Business & Enterprise Development Conference II, will bring together approximately 20 private, state, federal and nonprofit organizations with a singular goal of equipping small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, skills and resources needed to start and expand their businesses.
Hosted by the Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC), Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce, University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the conference will be held Friday, September 15, 2017 from 8:30am – 2:00pm in Hempstead Hall, located on the campus of U of A Hope, 2500 South Main St., Hope, Arkansas, 71802. Topics will include but are not limited to, building effective partnerships, securing capital, developing business plans and selling goods and services to the government.
Join us at 8:30 am for a “Lenders Roundtable Breakfast,” where participants will network with local, regional, and statewide lenders. Organizations invited to participate include Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Communities Unlimited, Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, FORGE, Bancorp South, Bank of the Ozarks, Diamond Bank, Farmers Bank and Trust, Regions Bank, Hope Credit Union…and MORE! Lunch will also be provided.
Current business owners and those just getting started, youth entrepreneurs, business and technical school students, apprentices, veterans and community and economic development professionals, are invited to attend this unique opportunity. 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. U.S. Small Business Administration newly appointed Arkansas District Deputy Director David Moody will be the luncheon speaker. He brings a wealth of experience as a serial business owner, where he consulted with high growth and technology companies, and 13 years of aerospace experience, including with NASA.
Don’t miss the opportunity to help your community create needed small businesses and JOBS by learning the tools, skills and resources available to help your small business GROW!
