GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES GRAND JUNCTION FINANCE FORUM

 

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today that Grand Junction will be the site of the next "Surviving Tough Times" small business finance forum, taking place this Monday at the Doubletree Hotel.

 

"As the nation continues to struggle with this unprecedented economic crisis, it's imperative that we provide every available avenue of assistance to Colorado businesses," Gov. Ritter said. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and these forums provide access to vital information and resources." 

 

Monday's forum will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 743 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction. It is co-sponsored by the Governor's Office, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Colorado District Office, Colorado Small Business Development Center Network, Colorado Office of Economic Development and other partners.

 

Gov. Ritter and SBA Regional Director Greg Lopez will attend the forum, meeting with vendors and small business owners, from 9 to 10 a.m.

 

This is the third of six statewide "Surviving Tough Times" forums launched last month. The first two were in Pueblo and Denver, and the remaining three are scheduled for Feb. 11 in Colorado Springs, Feb. 17 in Fort Collins and March 17 in Durango.

 

The forums provide small businesses with direct access to government and private-sector financial resources, information and assistance. Participants receive Small Business Toolkits, counseling and other useful information.

 

The forums will operate like an open house, with doors open for six hours. On-site registration is available but advanced registration is encouraged by visiting www.scoredenver.org or e-mailing kyle.miller@state.co.us.

 

Other forum sponsors include the Colorado Association of Guaranteed Lenders, SCORE, Colorado Department of Agriculture Rural Development, The Colorado Enterprise Fund, Colorado Bankers Association, Independent Bankers of Colorado, Credit Union Association of Colorado, Mi Casa, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.