Share on Social Media
Current News Stories
ASBTDC to Host Hispanic Small Business Panel May 26
Written By: Samantha Contreras
The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) located at the UAFS Center for Economic Development will host a panel discussion for the Hispanic small business community from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 26, at the CED facility at The Bakery District in downtown Fort Smith.
“In the River Valley, Hispanic-owned businesses are vital to the region’s success,” said Bill Sabo, regional director of the ASBTDC. “Our bilingual panel will address Hispanic businesses and local business opportunities and challenges.”
The Hispanic Small Business Panel is a free course sponsored by Arvest Bank and open for the public to register.
The panel focuses on developing skills in business management, financing, startup and pre-planning, cash flow management, marketing, social media, legal issues, tax planning, and woman-owned businesses.
The following panelists will present at the Hispanic Small Business Panel:
- Laurencia Valdez of Arvest Bank
- Tammy Pacheco of Alfa & Omega Multiservices
- Carolina Mejia of the ASBTDC at the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
- Edwin Nieto of P-G Roofing & Construction Inc.
According to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, the nation has more than 4.65 million Latino-owned businesses (LOBs) that generate an estimated $700 billion per year and play a significant role in the US economy.
“Starting a business is hard enough, but when a language barrier compounds the complexity, it can cause someone to give up their dream of owning their own business,” said Sabo.
He explained that the Center for Economic Development hopes to create a network of Hispanic business people who can use the ASBTDC program as a resource. The ASBTDC program works with for-profit businesses by receiving one-to-one confidential consulting or expanding expertise by participating in affordable educational events.
Individuals interested in the program may email Sabo at Bill.Sabo@uafs.edu or register for the event online.