by Christi Mathis
CARBONDALE, Ill. — During National Small Business Week, the Small Business Spotlight at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will celebrate the launch of new businesses in the region. Everyone is invited to attend the Illinois Small Business Development Center event, set for 4:30-6:30 p.m. May 2 at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive.
“The Illinois SBDC at SIU is thrilled to celebrate National Small Business Week alongside our community,” said Melissa Ray Roach, SBDC director. “This event not only spotlights the creativity and resilience of our local entrepreneurs, but it also highlights the support and resources available through the SBDC to help businesses launch and grow. We are especially excited about the new Accelerator program the center has partnered on with the city of Carbondale. It provides funding to help support businesses during this very important initial phase in their entrepreneurial journey.”
Honoring success
The event will be a time of networking and celebrating the many ways local businesses are succeeding. The winners of the Carbondale Accelerator Program (CAP) Business Plan Competition will be announced, and Steve Mitchell, the city’s economic development director, will speak about how the grant-funded accelerator program and partnership with SIU began and how it bolsters small businesses.
Also, representatives from area businesses who recently completed the intensive 10-week Launch That Business “fast-track” training program, offered by the SBDC, will be honored for graduating from the program. Visitors can view exhibits highlighting the products or services offered by those businesses at the showcase, as well.
Launch That Business is designed to assist home-based or small business entities in getting their business concepts on track, offering entrepreneurs practical steps for registering their enterprises as legal entities and providing them with simple tips and tools for maintaining and growing their businesses.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate the launch of the new business ventures, too, and a reception with light refreshments will follow.
Services available for all
The U.S. Small Business Administration has observed National Small Business Week for more than six decades, and this year’s celebration is set for April 28-May 4. SIU’s SBDC is joining to recognize the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.
The SBDC offers a wide variety of services to help the region’s small businesses thrive and grow. Business owners can take advantage of no-cost one-on-one professional advising, training and workshops, and more. For additional information, visit the website, email sbdc@siu.edu or call 618-536-2424.