BOUCHER ANNOUNCES SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE

“Building our Local Economy in a Global Market” Conference Will Provide Information on Resources for Local Entrepreneurs

            (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Rick Boucher announced today that he will host a conference to inform Southwest Virginia’s business owners and entrepreneurs on the resources and assistance available from public and private entities to assist with business startup and development. The workshop is entitled “Building our Local Economy in a Global Market” and will be held on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 9:00 AM at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia.

            “Small businesses are at the core of our economy. These businesses are a wellspring of innovation, and they give strength and diversity to the economic foundation of communities throughout Southwest Virginia. For these reasons, creating a climate that is favorable to small business startups and providing resources and other assistance to those who aspire to be small business owners is an important part of our strategy for promoting economic growth throughout our region and an important part of the work of my Congressional office,” Boucher said.

            “The conference I am hosting on July 19 will provide Southwest Virginia residents interested in starting a business and local business owners seeking to expand their business with information on the resources available from both public and private entities for local entrepreneurs,” Boucher continued.

            The conference will include presentations on launching new and growing existing businesses by the Director of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, Peter Su, and representatives from Radford University’s Small Business Development Center and People Incorporated. Following those presentations, an overview of the financial assistance available for small businesses will be given by representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Virginia Community Capital and the Internal Revenue Service. Representatives from the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center’s International Business Development program, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the U.S. Department of Commerce will discuss the expanding markets for Southwest Virginia businesses. Finally, presentations will be given on successfully competing for state and federal contracts.

            “I strongly urge all Southwest Virginia entrepreneurs to attend this conference to learn more about the resources available to develop locally owned small businesses,” Boucher concluded.

            The conference will take place at 9:00 AM on July 19, 2010 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. There is no charge for attendance at this conference. To register for the conference, or to receive additional information, please contact Congressman Boucher’s Abingdon office at (276) 628-1145 or register by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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