Blue Springs, Mo. – The City of Blue Springs, Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation will be hosting a ‘How to Open and Grow a Business in Blue Springs’ Expo on Saturday, October 10.
This free expo will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Mid-Continent Public Library South Branch, 2220 S Highway 7, and is the first of two free events providing a range of opportunities for entrepreneurs and current business owners. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for gift cards and refreshments will be available.
“This a great opportunity for current and prospective business owners to meet with professional coaches and discuss their business plan, speak with financial institutions and connect with local resources in one location,” said Mayor Carson Ross. “Participants can also learn more about connecting with local business mentors, exporting, market research, government grants, incentives and government procurement.”
The City, Chamber and EDC were recently recognized with a Missouri Innovation Award for the ‘How to Open a Business in Blue Springs’ guide was published in August 2014. As a result of resident feedback at previous expos, the City, Chamber and EDC developed the Home-Based Business Guide to compliment the ‘How to Open a Business in Blue Springs’ guide.
“We are excited to see such interest from current and prospective business owners of different backgrounds as they learn about the abundant business resources here in Blue Springs,” said Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce Chair of the Board Carol Baker. “We hope our budding entrepreneurs and established business owners feel empowered and appreciated as they take advantage of this resource.”
Expo representatives currently include: City of Blue Springs; Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce; Blue Springs EDC; Grow Blue Springs; Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers; University of Missouri Extension; Mid-Continent Public Library; Blue Springs Downtown Alive!; SCORE Kansas City and America’s Community Bank.
“The success of these events is a direct result of the dedicated partnership between the Chamber, the EDC and the City,” said Blue Springs Economic Development President Bill Essmann. “This event will connect entrepreneurs with resources, including one-on-one question and answer opportunities to help attendee’s start a business and grow their business here in Blue Springs.”
The second expo will be held from 7-8 p.m. on November 17 at the north branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library.
For more information please contact Kim Nakahodo at 816-655-0497 or visit www.bluespringsgov.com/startbusiness.
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