Clayton News Daily

Photo by Hugh Osteen

By Kathy Jefcoats

kjefcoats@news-daily.com

With small businesses struggling in a shaky economy, free professional advice can be a godsend.

Small business owners and entrepreneurial-minded folks can investigate alternative financing through a free seminar sponsored later this month by the Clayton State University Small Business Development Center.

"Alternative Financing in Today's Marketplace" will be presented Wednesday, June 15, from 10 a.m., to noon, at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, located at 200 Courthouse Square in Fayetteville.

Fred Crispen and Terry Crispen, small business loan experts from Borrego Springs Bank in Panama City Beach, Fla., will conduct the two-hour class.

"This alternative financing class is beneficial to existing small businesses because it helps them to understand all of their options if they need working capital to grow their businesses," said Alisa Kirk, a consultant with the Small Business Development Center.

But the class is not just for people already running their own businesses.

"It's also helpful to people who want to start a business because it covers the requirements they will have to meet to obtain financing, as well as the preparation required to apply for a loan," she said.

Getting the money to go into business for oneself is one of the biggest obstacles to starting up that business. Potential business owners can attend this class and learn what they need to get the financing to fit their needs.

"You will want to attend this informative program if you are considering starting a new business venture or have the need for additional working capital for your existing business," said Kirk.

For more information, call the Small Business Development Center at (678) 466-5100. To register, access the Small Business Development Center web site at www.georgiasbdc.org and click on "classroom training" in the left-side menu. Click "Morrow" for information specific to the Clayton State University campus.