Congressman hosts business conference at UW-Superior

Small business owners, bankers and economic development officials from northern Wisconsin can learn about opportunities for lending, exporting and doing business with the federal government and Native American tribes at the Opportunities for Small Business conference to be held Thursday at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

“I’m working hard to create the right environment for small businesses to grow and create jobs. We must do everything in our power to give local job creators and entrepreneurs the tools they need to thrive,” said U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, who is hosting the conference.

The Small Business Jobs Act, passed by Congress in 2010, provides new opportunities in federal and state lending, export assistance and federal contracting. The Opportunities for Small Business conference will explain these programs and help business owners make connections with them.

Scheduled conference speakers include Duffy; Eric Ness, Wisconsin District director for the U.S. Small Business Administration; and Aina Vilumsons of the Wisconsin Procurement Institute. Also speaking will be John Winkler, an additional business counselor now working with the Small Business Development Centers in northern Wisconsin.

“Small businesses account for two-thirds of all new jobs in America and are a crucial contributor to our economic health here in the Northland,” said UW-Superior Chancellor Renée Wachter. “We at UW-Superior are committed to the advancement of our region. The Opportunities for Small Business conference is designed specifically to help small businesses maximize their potential. It’s an opportunity that today’s small business simply can’t afford to miss.”

The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Yellowjacket Union at UW-Superior. Cost is $15 per person. For information and registration, call (800) 410-8351 or go to www.uwsuper.edu/sbdc.

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