WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains, will sponsor the “Access to Capital Forum” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, in the Redbud Rooms at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 Saint Louis St.
Early bird admission is $20 and includes lunch. To register, visit http://sbtdc.eventbrite.com.
At the “Access to Capital Forum,” participants will hear from a variety of speakers about financing options; programs and solutions available to small businesses, including crowdfunding, microloans and revolving loan funds; equity finance; angel investing; tax incentives; commercial loans; Small Business Administration (SBA) loans; and export finance.
“Do you need a business loan but have little or no equity? Do you have poor credit? Would you like to explore equity versus debt financing? Are buyers requesting extended payment terms? Do buyers want you to sell on open account terms? Would you like to know about state and local tax incentives? Those who attend the ‘Access to Capital Forum’ can learn how to overcome these challenges and more,” said Bronwen Madden, SBTDC coordinator.
“Never before have this many lenders and financial professionals representing the full spectrum of finance methods convened in West Plains,” Madden continued. “Every business, at every stage, must figure out how to best finance their venture. Being operationally competitive includes obtaining the lowest cost of capital available and understanding your resources.”
Madden said business owners will benefit from federal, state, local, nonprofit and private lenders all sharing about their programs and services, and members of the lending community will have the opportunity to learn from each other, as well.
Special guests at the event include Mark Klein, regional director of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (ExIm). He will share how the bank’s direct loan program works for small businesses and how banks can partner with ExIm to expand their service offerings.
“Speakers will share about commercial finance programs and solutions available to small businesses, and those attending also will have the option to meet one-on-one with representatives to discuss specific business needs,” Madden said.
The SBTDC provides assistance to individuals who want to start or run their own small businesses. SBTDC staff work with Missouri entrepreneurs and small businesses that are for-profit (not a non-profit charitable or educational organization). Whether you are currently in business or thinking about starting a business, the SBTDC can assist you in your venture.
The West Plains SBTDC serves entrepreneurs in seven counties across the region: Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Texas and Wright. Since it is funded in part through the Small Business Administration, virtually all of the services are free.
For more information about this workshop or any other programs or services offered by SBTDC, contact Madden at 417-255-7966 or WPSBDC@MissouriState.edu.