ASU SBTDC to offer free Small Business Workshop on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

September 30, 2009 -- The Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be offering a free seminar Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the ASU Technical Center in Jonesboro on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: What’s In It for Small Business?  The seminar will be held at the ASU Technical Center, 5504 Krueger Drive in Jonesboro from 1 – 4 p.m.

The seminar, conducted by Linda Nelson, District Director for the Arkansas office of the Small Business Administration, will focus on key issues in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that have potential to impact small businesses in Arkansas.

Specifically, the three-hour seminar will focus on new financing options available under the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the stimulus packet to help increase the flow of capital to businesses, especially those that have been adversely affected by the current recession. 

“The U.S. Small Business Administration was given a major role to play under the Economic Recovery Act,” said Herb Lawrence, ASU SBTDC Center Director.  “In addition to temporary improvements to their current programs, the SBA has developed several new programs aimed specifically at getting capital back in the hands of small businesses.”

The seminar is being co-sponsored by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Jonesboro Association, East Arkansas Planning & Development District, Liberty Bank of Arkansas and Simmons First. Although the seminar is free, registration is requested to ensure sufficient material is available for the seminar.  To register contact the Arkansas State University Small Business Development Center by telephone (870) 972-3517, e-mail: lois@astate.edu, or go on-line to the ASBTDC website http://asbtdc.ualr.edu/recovery.

A partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, ASBTDC serves new, existing and innovation-based small businesses.  Through a statewide network of seven offices, ASBTDC provides free consulting and market research services plus affordable training to the business community.

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