GOV. RITTER TO ATTEND DURANGO FINANCE FORUM TUESDAY

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today that the next "Surviving Tough Times" small business finance forum will be held Tuesday, March 17, in Durango.

 

Tuesday's forum will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fort Lewis College, Student Union Ballroom, 1000 Rim Drive. Gov. Ritter will attend the forum from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. to talk with small business owners about their struggles in this economic crisis.

 

"Small businesses are the backbone of Colorado's economy, and the economic crisis is taking a heavy toll on them," Gov. Ritter said. "These forums offer strategic advice and critical resources that can help businesses survive and position themselves for growth when the economy recovers."

 

This is the sixth forum in a series that began last year. Others forums have been held in Loveland, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs and Denver. The forums are co-sponsored by the Governor's Office, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Colorado District Office, Colorado Small Business Development Center Network and Colorado Office of Economic Development.

 

Other 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.

 

Tuesday's forum will provide small businesses with direct access to government and private-sector financial resources, information and assistance. Participants will receive Small Business Toolkits, counseling and other useful information.

 

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