Wednesday, July 14, 2010

City of Austin Hosts 7th Annual Small Business Loan Fair

Existing and aspiring entrepreneurs invited to Meet the Lender

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine recently named Austin the number one Best City for the Next Decade. In praising Austin, the ranking highlighted Meet the Lender, a city-run business loan fair, as a key example of the resources available for small businesses and start-ups.

This year, even more small businesses will have the opportunity to be a part of the next decade’s success. On Thursday August 5th, from 3 to 7PM, the City of Austin Small Business Development Program (SBDP) will host the 7th annual Meet the Lender exposition. The event, held at Palmer Events Center, brings representatives from dozens of local banks, community lenders, and other investors to the same place at the same time. In this informal setting, business owners can go from booth to booth to learn how to secure financing for their business and start forming critical relationships with lenders.

Austin has been recognized as one of the best U.S. cities to launch a new business and SBDP, a division of the City’s Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office (EGRSO), continues to offer no-cost and low-cost opportunities and resources for entrepreneurs wanting to begin or grow their businesses and successfully compete in today’s business environment.

“Small business owners aren’t always aware of the incredible and varied resources there 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.”

The expected 400 or more attendees at Meet the Lender can also register to take a Business Resource Orientation class or a class outlining the City’s zoning, permitting and development processes during the fair. There is no cost to attend any part of Meet the Lender and free parking will be available in the Palmer Event Center garage. For more information or to register for the event call 974.7800 or visit our site and here's a video clip from last year’s event.

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