Arkansas Press Association Paid News Distribution Service

Providing small and emerging business owners with the skills, tools, and contacts needed to create and grow their enterprises and better engage in job creation activities are the goals of an upcoming business conference to be held via Zoom, with two small on-site audiences in Magnolia and Monticello, Arkansas. 

Funded by the Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC), Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), Arkansas Business Navigator program, FORGE Community Loan Fund, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and USDA Rural Development, the 2023 Southwest Arkansas Rural Business Development Conference, with a theme of “Breaking Barriers: Engaging Minds, Empowering Success” will bring together approximately 20 private, quasi-state, state, federal, non-profit, and national organizations with a singular focus of equipping existing and aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources to start and grow their businesses.

Confirmed and/or invited partners include the Arkansas Division Of Workforce Services (ADWS), Arkansas APEX Accelerator, AHDC, ASBTDC, Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, U.S. Small Business Administration, and USDA, Rural Development. 

The conference will be held Friday, June 9, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. via Zoom and in-person. In-person participation will be limited to approximately 50 at each conference site, one at the University of Arkansas at Monticello Student Success Center, Room 102, 350 University Drive, Monticello, AR 71656, or two at the Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, 101 Harvey Couch Boulevard, Magnolia, AR 71754-0767. 

Topics will include but are not limited to, building effective partnerships, securing capital, selling goods and services to the government, and social media for small businesses.

Join us at 8:30 a.m. for a “Breakfast with the Lenders Roundtable,” where conference participants will network with local, regional, and statewide lenders. Some lenders to be invited include Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, Bodcaw Bank, Cadence Bank, Communities Unlimited, Farmers Bank, FORGE, RMI, Inc., and USDA, RD B&I. The Lenders Roundtable will be facilitated by Mr. Christian Pennington, Lender Relations Specialist, SBA. Ms. Adriene Brown, Arkansas District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration, will be the luncheon speaker.

Don’t miss the opportunity to help your community create needed small businesses and JOBS by acquiring the resources to help your small business grow and innovate.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is encouraged. Register by calling Arkansas Human Development Corporation at (800) 482-7641, extension 0, or online for Magnolia at: https://t.ly/I6DC and online for Monticello at: https://t.ly/i-lx.