News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced the Ohio Department of Development Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) has again joined forces with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Urban Leagues of Columbus and Dayton to sponsor a series of small business seminars for minority business owners. The initiative is a broad effort to strengthen and expand business ownership among minorities and will be offered from March through November.

"The revitalization of our urban areas is key to the Turnaround Ohio Plan, our strategy to once again make Ohio a leader by supporting the growth of small businesses in our core communities," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as the Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "This team effort will help in creating an environment that supports small minority businesses by providing access to resources that can help them reach their full potential."

The seminar series was developed specifically to address the needs of minority business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Representatives from SBDC, SBA and the Urban League will give in-depth overviews of small business programs and services available to assist minority entrepreneurs and business owners. The seminars will provide information on how to pursue resources including: establishing a business; operating a business; loan programs; free counseling; and training.

All seminars will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Columbus Urban League, located at 788 Mount Vernon Avenue or at the Dayton Urban League, located at 907 West 5th Street. The seminars are free of charge, but registration is required. Interested business owners can learn more about the seminar series or may register by contacting the Columbus SBA office at (614) 469-6860 ext. 282 or by visiting www.entrepreneurohio.org

Ohio's SBDCs provide consulting and training assistance to small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs to promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity and improved management. The SBDCs are supported through a partnership between the ODOD, the SBA and several chambers of commerce, colleges and universities and economic development agencies.

Editors Note: A schedule of series seminars follow:

Small Business Development Series Seminars

• The Resource Network
  Dayton Urban League - Wednesday, March 14, 2007
  Columbus Urban League – Thursday, March 15, 2007
  
  
• Understanding Your Credit
  Dayton Urban League – Monday, April 9, 2007
  Columbus Urban League – Thursday, April 19, 2007
  
  
• Access to Capital and Building Better Banking Relationships
  Dayton Urban League - Monday, May 21, 2007
  Columbus Urban League – Thursday, May 17, 2007
  
  
• Starting Right & Beyond (Legal, Accounting & Insurance)
  Dayton Urban League - Wednesday, June 20, 2007
  Columbus Urban League – Thursday, June 21, 2007
  
  
• Small Business Certification (SBA 8a, Surety Bonding)
  Dayton Urban League - Wednesday, July 18, 2007
  Columbus Urban League – Thursday, July 19, 2007
  
  
• Small Business Procurement Opportunities
  Dayton Urban League - Wednesday, August 15, 2007
  Columbus Urban League – Thursday, August 16, 2007
  
  
• Small Business Franchise Opportunities
  Dayton Urban League – Wednesday, September 19, 2007
  Columbus Urban League –Thursday, September 20, 2007
  
  
• Media and E-Commerce and Small Business Marketing
  Dayton Urban League – Wednesday, October 17, 2007
  Columbus Urban League – Thursday, October 18, 2007
  
  
• Small Business Match-Net
  Dayton Urban League – Monday, November 19, 2007
  Columbus Urban League – Thursday, November 15, 2007