FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced the Ohio Department of Development is partnering with the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education and the Ohio Entrepreneurship Coalition to recognize National Entrepreneurship Week in Ohio February 23 through March 1. The Division of Entrepreneurship and Small Business within the Ohio Department of Development will host the Entrepreneurship Expo on February 25 beginning at 10 a.m. in the Riffe Center in downtown Columbus as part of the week's activities.

"Small business is the backbone of Ohio's economy. The Entrepreneurship Expo will serve as an outstanding platform for the kickoff of the new Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division that will create exciting new opportunities for Ohio's small business community," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "We look forward to celebrating Ohio's entrepreneurial spirit during National Entrepreneurship Week and working every day to foster learning opportunities that will prepare the business leaders of the future."

National Entrepreneurship Week was developed in Ohio by the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education and is an annual coast-to-coast celebration of the contributions made by entrepreneurs and small business owners to our country's economy. The Entrepreneurship Expo will provide Ohio entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to meet one-on-one with more than 30 Ohio educators, associations and government agencies to learn about a number of programs and services available to help them succeed in Ohio. Exhibitors will also include organizations with education programs geared to entrepreneurial minded young people. Lt. Governor Fisher will deliver remarks beginning at Noon addressing the state of entrepreneurship in Ohio.

The Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division manages a variety of programs and initiatives that assist small businesses in growing and finding success in Ohio. The Division also hosts the Small Business Development Centers of Ohio program, which provides consulting and training assistance to small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs to promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity, and improved management. The Centers are supported through a partnership among the Ohio Department of Development, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and several of Ohio's chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, and economic development agencies.

This event is open to Ohio entrepreneurs and small business owners at no charge and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Riffe Center, 77 S. High St., 3rd Floor Lobby, in Columbus. For more information, contact Domini Graham Hunt, 614-728-4607 or dhunt@odod.state.oh.us

# # #

Media contacts: Melissa Ament at (614) 466-6619 or Kimber Perfect at (614) 466-2609