Small Business Development Center to be in Randolph County November 3rd.

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Randolph County, IL - The Randolph County Department of Economic Development (DED) will host the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on Thursday, November 3 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. Appointments begin at 9:00 a.m.

"We held our start-your-own-business class on October 5th," said Chris Martin, coordinator of economic development for Randolph County. "Six participants attended the two-hour course on what it takes to start and sustain a business. We will be following up with some of those participants and others who may be interested in expanding an existing business or starting a completely new business."

The SBDC can help with start-up advice, marketing assistance, and sustainability training, as well as assist participants with help in financing their new venture. One method for doing that is through the DED's Revolving Loan Program. "It is a gap financing process," says Martin. "Once the participant authors a business plan, they can present that plan to a Randolph County bank. Banks typically will finance 70 to 80 percent of an approved project. The applicant is expected to provide the remainder of the cash for start and operation. That is where our program can help, by providing a portion of the gap."

Martin says there are also funding programs available from federal sources like the Delta Regional Authority, USDA Rural Development and the Economic Development Administration. Qualifying projects may also receive training funds from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.

For more information on services available or to sign up for an appointment on November 3rd, contact Greg Bouhl at Southern Illinois University Carbondale SBDC at 618-536-2424 or email sbdc@siu.edu. Contact information for the SBDC is also available on the Randolph County Economic Development website. www.edrandolphcounty.com.