Forum aims to help small businesses

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The stage at Fort Salem Theater file photo

An opportunity to connect, learn and receive unknown benefits is awaiting small business owners in rural communities on April 29 for a “Small Business Toolbox” economic forum in Salem.

Salem supervisor Sue Clary said the event, sponsored by the Salem and Adirondack Regional Chambers of Commerce, will start at 1 p.m. at The Central House where snacks and lunch will be served and the networking process can commence.

At 2:30 p.m., attendees will move to the cabaret room of the Fort Salem Theater for more conversations set up at tables by vendors representing numerous organizations and assistive businesses.

The day will conclude with a panel of speakers answering questions on stage to the best of their ability in full transparency with the idea of informing business owners of what steps they can take to sustain their operations.

“Many people don’t know what’s available to them and we want to encourage people to come because there is money available, there is support available and there are so many times people will say ‘how do you start a business? I want to do it the right, where do I go for information?’ That started this,” Clary said. “This is the first of what we hope to do more. This is the startup.”

Clary said the concept of the forum was birthed from conversations with new, young business owners in Salem who did not have contacts for assistive services in retrieving funds and support.

White Creek supervisor and Agriculture, Planning, Tourism & Community Development committee chair James S. Griffith said this event is already “growing” in momentum with the original intent of the inaugural event highlighting the needs and concerns of businesses in southern Washington County while informing each other of what each party has to offer.

“We’re really starting it in the southern part of the county and then with the success of this event, we are looking to do one in the northern part of the county,” he said.

“We’re hoping to do a fall one as well in the northern part of the county. Really, we’re going to find out what we need to work out the kinks on this as we get into this but we feel really good about this.

“There’s going to be a lot of networking that is going to happen. There will be a 45-minute to one hour panel discussion, but there’s going to be an hour’s worth of networking before the panel at the Central House and then there’s going to be in the cabaret room there’s going to be vendors and organizations in almost like a trade show.”

Acquiring advanced loans, lended support at various levels and recruitment and preservation of employees and daily operations are expected conversations to take place, among others.

Members of the Lake George Lake Champlain Regional Planning Board, Warren and Washington Industrial Development Agency, SUNY Adirondack Community College, WSWHE BOCES, Black Dog Designs and more will be in attendance to connect with business owners to see how their needs can be met and assisted.

“We’re hoping to have businesses, not just small businesses, but our larger businesses represented as well. Myself, I’m reaching out to Morcon, one of our larger businesses over in White Creek, to see what the needs are that they need so they can continue growing or find employees. We want to make sure everyone is connected,” Griffith said.

“That’s what gets lost a lot of times, these businesses don’t know who the right organizations are, whether its grants or funding dollars to make it easier for the businesses and easier for them to expand.”

“It’s exciting to listen to everyone’s enthusiasm about this,” Clary said. “I think it’s going to be a very helpful day and it’s a great way to get to know your neighbors.” Pre-registration to the free event is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/522719539557386?ref=newsfeed.