Small Business Development Center to be in Randolph County July 6

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[

Randolph County, IL - The Randolph County Department of Economic Development (DED) will host the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on Wednesday, July 6 at the courthouse DED office. The DED is partnering with the SBDC of Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) to help expand existing businesses and start new businesses in Randolph County.

"We hope people who have considered starting or expanding a business will make an appointment to meet with us," said Chris Martin, coordinator of economic development for Randolph County. "The counselors of the SBDC can help with everything. How to write a business plan, making sure the numbers work, marketing the business, access to capital, sustainability and looking for export markets. The resources and experience of the SBDC are incredible and we are fortunate to have them."

Martin says access to capital is a major impediment for new business startups. The DED is sponsoring a gap financing program to help raise the funds necessary to start a business and that will be explained during the appointment. "We also have the resources of the Small Business Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development to help Randolph County entrepreneurs," added Martin. "There has never been a better time to start or expand a business."

The DED and SBDC have also scheduled their next class on how to start your own business. The two-hour session provides information on writing a business plan, finance, marketing and many other aspects of small business startup and expansion. The class will be held in the commissioners' board room of the Randolph County Courthouse on October 5th from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. There is no charge for the class or for counseling sessions. For more information on services available, to sign up for an appointment on July 6 or confirm attending the class on October 5th, contact the Southern Illinois University Carbondale SBDC at 618-536-2424 or email sbdc@siu.edu