University News

Illinois SBDC Offering Event to Help Launch New Hispanic/Latino Businesses

August 10, 2017

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MOLINE, IL - - The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will offer an event to help small businesses get started in the Hispanic/Latino community from 6-7:45 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 at the Esperanza Center, 335 5th Ave., Moline. A Spanish-language interpreter will be in attendance. Registration is due by Tuesday, Aug. 22.

Speakers for the event will include Robert Ontiveros, Group O founder and chairman; Álvaro Macías, Ascentra Credit Union; Christian Guiterrez, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Office of Minority Economic Empowerment; Carolyn O'Connor, Esperanza Legal Assistance Center, Department of Justice-accredited immigration legal specialist; and Rock Island native David Johnson of ACCION.

In addition to the speakers, Quad Cities SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), which helps mentor new business start-ups, will discuss grant money available for small-business accounting workshops and consultations.

To register, visit wiusbdc.org and sign up under "upcoming events," or use the
Spanish-language option at iira.org/event-registration/?ee=20. For assistance, leave a message at (309) 298-3036.

"We are pleased to be able to provide this event, which supports Western Illinois University-Quad Cities' goal from the President's Executive Institute, announced in June, to expand community engagement," said Ann Friederichs, SBDC business advisor. "The goal calls for Western to enhance its relationships with its host communities to work together to recruit and retain students, businesses and entrepreneurs."

The Illinois SBDC and International Trade Center, located at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, provide free confidential advising and training to help entrepreneurs and businesses start, grow and sustain their businesses. For more information, visit wiusbdc.org, or call 309-762-3999, ext. 62243.


Posted By: Alison McGaughey (AR-McGaughey@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing