Small Business Development Program will host the 7th annual Meet the Lender loan fair for businesses on August 5, 2010 from 3 PM to 7 PM at Palmer events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd at no cost for admission and free parking available at the garage. Businesses will have the opportunity to learn the steps they need to obtain financing for a start-up or existing small business by forming critical relationships with banks, community lenders and other investors.
The event will present numerous classes during the day that range from topics on available City resources for businesses to Austin’s zoning, permitting, and development processes held by BizAid@ Business Orientation and BizOpen@Orientation. Attendees will have a chance to meet commercial lenders, credit unions, community development corporations and government programs and agencies in an informal setting.
“Small business owners aren’t always aware of the incredible and varied resources that are available to help them be successful,” said Rosy Jalifi, EGRSO Assistant Director. “We want to connect entrepreneurs to those resources. When Austin’s small businesses are successful, the City of Austin is successful and local jobs are created.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards and their business summaries in expectation in meeting the right lender for them or mingling with the expected 400 entrepreneurs to be present that day. Dan Berezski with La Boite Café on South Lamar was able to get information to secure additional funding for his European influenced style café that strives to deliver local, organic, traditional French-style meals. “SBA lending helped me secure a small loan to allow me to start building my business credit history.” La Boite Café was able to be involved in the SBA Express loan, one of the programs offered to streamline and expedite loan procedures for particular groups of borrowers.
“The more small businesses know, and the better connected they become, they will get the answers and capital they need to make their businesses a success.” Guy Perry, Senior Vice President of Small Business Lending for Horizon Bank, an Austin-based community bank participating in the fair.
To register for classes, visit www.AustinSmallBiz.org or (512)974-7800.
Check out a video clip from last year’s event at www.YouTube.com/SmallBizAustin.
By Monica Pena
Austin Times Staff
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