4th Annual Small Business Resource Fair March 19, 2009

Open to small business owners or those thinking of starting a small business, the day includes free workshops, an exhibition hall, business center tours and expert counseling featuring low-cost ideas to help businesses run more efficiently and attract more income.

The event is a great one-stop shopping opportunity to get free professional advice and meet experts on topics like: understanding the realities of business finance, doing the right research for an effective business plan, how to pursue federal government contracts and how to use free web tools to communicate with customers.

Four free workshops are being offered during the day, including:

· Boost Your Business With Free Web Tools, 10:00-10:50 AM. Take advantage of free publicity and increased productivity with social networking, open software, and blogs. Presented by the Technology Learning Center.

· Government Contracting Basics, 11:00-11:50 AM. Learn the basics about small business programs, registration requirements, and where to find federal contracting opportunities. Presented by Robin Brown of the Small Business Development Center.

· Free Is Fabulous! DIY Business Research, 12:30-1:20 PM. Build your own business-to-business mailing list, find free demographics, and write your own business plan. Presented by the CCPL Business Center.

· Show Me the Money: The Myths & Realities of Funding Your Business, 1:30-2:30 PM. Separate fact from fiction! Learn the realities about your business financing options. Presented by Mary Dickerson, FastTracSC Director.

The exhibition hall will open from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. with more than a dozen business assistance organizations such as the Small Business Development Center, Charleston County Small Business Enterprise Program, Charleston Local Development Corporation and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. Also, SCORE-Service Corp of Retired Executives will provide free, individualized business counseling throughout the day.

For more information, call 805-6930, go online at www.ccpl.org or send an e-mail to askaquestion@ccpl.org.