WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Small Business and Technology Center (SBTDC), hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains, will sponsor the workshop “First Steps to Starting a Small Business” from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at the university’s Shannon Hall facility, 401 E. 17th St., in Mountain Grove.

The cost is $35; university students, members of area Chambers of Commerce and Ozarks Small Business Incubator members will be charged a reduced rate of $20, organizers said.  To register, visit http://sbtdc.eventbrite.com.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of starting a business, how to determine the feasibility of a business, the importance of business planning and how to understand financial and licensing requirements.

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 coordinator Bronwen Madden at 417-255-7966 or WPSBDC@MissouriState.edu.