Free counseling to be offered for small businesses

Representatives from the Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) at Pittsburg State University will be in Fort Scott, Kan., on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, for free individual counseling sessions from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The sessions will be held at the Fort Scott Community College, Administration Building, Greyhound Room, 2108 S. Horton, at selected times during the year. Please contact the KSBDC at PSU by calling (620) 235-4921 for future dates and times.

Local residents interested in developing new or existing businesses, and existing businesses interested in discussing their financing and other assistance needs, can meet with KSBDC counselors during this time. KSBDC assistance is confidential and provided without charge.

The KSBDC is part of the Business and Technology Institute (BTI) at PSU. The BTI provides one-stop managerial, financial and technical assistance to individuals and businesses in Southeast Kansas. All business functional areas can be discussed at length. Subsequent counseling will be scheduled on an as-needed basis, will involve follow-up visits by KSBDC/BTI personnel as necessary, and will be tailored to the needs of the business.

Appointments are encouraged for the counseling sessions and can be made by calling the KSBDC at PSU at (620) 235-4921. Walk-ins will be accommodated as time permits. Or, for more information regarding the counseling sessions or the services of the KSBDC and/or BTI, call Kathryn Richard, Regional KSBDC Director, at the same phone number. Individuals who cannot attend the above sessions due to business or job conflicts are invited to contact Ms. Richard to schedule an appointment at a more convenient time.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities if requested two weeks in advance. Please contact the KSBDC, at (620) 235-4921.