FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that the Ohio Department of Development's Entrepreneurship and Small Business and Minority Business Enterprise divisions have teamed with the Dayton Urban League to host a workshop targeting individuals 50 years and older interested in businesses ownership. The workshop, which is part of the Department's home-based business series, will take place Friday, April 4, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Dayton Urban League, 907 West Fifth St. Registration is free.

"Whether working or retired, this population has a great amount of talent and skill that comes only from years of work and life experience, and will serve them well as they explore business ownership opportunities," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "We are pleased to team their outstanding resources with our business development experts to support Ohioans who have the desire and talent to start a business and are looking for help to put their plan into action."

This workshop will feature professionals from this age group discussing best practices in the areas of marketing, accounting, finance, legal, insurance and technology. Representatives from the Dayton Urban League Mature Workers Program and Ohio's Small Business Development Centers will review the realities of business ownership and the fundamentals of creating a business plan.

The Dayton Urban League is a community-based organization with the mission of academically and economically empowering people through education, training, and services. The Dayton Urban League is an affiliate of the National Urban League and is a partner of the United Way of Dayton. The League's Mature Workers Program promotes useful, part-time community service training opportunities for the unemployed, low-income eligible people ages 55 or older to foster economic self-sufficiency by increasing the number of older persons ready to work in unsubsidized jobs. The program serves 160 individuals in Greene, Preble, Montgomery, and Warren counties.

"This training is a wonderful new beginning for program participants and citizens 55 and older to take advantage of guidance on how to use their talents and strengths to start their own business. Not only is this age demographic growing, but the level of unemployment is continuously rising," said Monica L. Walker-Floyd, Director of The Dayton Urban League Mature Workers Program. "Assistance starting a business, combined with their entrepreneurial spirit, will help lessen the likelihood they'll see a pink slip or be forced into early retirement."

The Ohio Department of Development's Minority Business Enterprise Division works to create a business environment in Ohio that assists in the growth and development of minority-owned businesses, working closely with minority, female, and small businesses to help them obtain financing, bonding, and contracts in the public and private sector. The division provides assistance through the Minority Contractors and Business Assistance Program, Management and Technical Services and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers.

The Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division manages a variety of programs and initiatives that assist entrepreneurs and 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.

For more information about the workshop or register for the workshop, contact Monica Walker-Floyd at (937) 220-6682.

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Media contacts: Melissa Ament at (614) 466-6619 or Kelly Schlissberg at (614) 466-4133