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Events | Business and IndustryMay 23, 2022

ASBTDC to Host Hispanic Small Business Panel May 26

Written By: Samantha Contreras

The 91µ÷½Ģ Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) located at the 91µ÷½Ģ 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.

ā€œIn the River Valley, Hispanic-owned businesses are vital to the region’s success,ā€ said Bill Sabo, regional director of the ASBTDC. ā€œOur bilingual panel will address Hispanic businesses and local business opportunities and challenges.ā€

The 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 91µ÷½Ģ - Fayetteville
  • Edwin Nieto of P-G Roofing & Construction Inc.

According to the , 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.

ā€œStarting 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,ā€ 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 .