Illinois Valley Community College is set to host a panel discussion aimed at demystifying small business funding on April 28, starting at 4:30 PM. Doors open for networking at 4:30 PM, before the main panel discussion begins at 5 PM. The event, “Access to Capital: Support for Small Business,” will feature a lineup of local lenders and experts ready to guide entrepreneurs through the funding process. Organized by IVCC President Dr. Tracy Morris in response to increasing community interest, the session offers both a panel and a hands-on resource fair, giving attendees a chance to connect with financial experts and local institutions. Pre-registration is necessary, and details can be found at the IVCC website.
“Talking to people in our community, there is great interest in starting up small businesses, but it can be overwhelming. One of the largest barriers is funding — so we are partnering with experts and lenders in our community to bring together resources to help. We hope that anyone who is thinking about starting up a small business will be able to ask questions and learn more so they can make their dreams a reality,” Dr. Morris said.
“We are proud to partner with IVCC on this important workshop and look forward to continuing to serve and empower entrepreneurs,” said Amanda Askew, senior community lender at Allies for Community Business, which provides the capital, coaching, and connections for entrepreneurs. “We rely on local partnerships to help identify more entrepreneurs to serve and to educate small business owners about financial readiness and access to capital.”