Program on 'Sustaining Your Business in Challenging Times' offered in Concord on Feb. 10

The New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC), an outreach program of the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics, will host a panel at the 4th Annual Small Business Day at the Statehouse on Tuesday, Feb. 10th, from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Holiday Inn in downtown Concord. The panel discussion — "Sustaining Your Business in Challenging Times" — will be presented in conjunction with the NH Business and Industry Association and will offer expertise and practical information for small businesses struggling to stay afloat in this economy.

Panelists include Andrea O’Brien, Environmental Management Program Manager, NH SBDC; James Pratt, Commercial Lending, First Colebrook Bank; Allen Voivod, co-owner, Epiphanies, Inc., with moderator Mary Collins, State Director, NH SBDC. A Toolkit for Sustainability will be available to each person attending Small Business Day.

“NH SBDC is continually looking for ways to help New Hampshire businesses be sustainable,” remarks Mary Collins, NH SBDC State Director. “For example, our e-Learning for Entrepreneurs program utilizes today’s technology to provide knowledge, tools, and resources for the state’s business owners. In this uncertain economy it is even more important that businesses statewide have access 24/7 to management assistance that will help strengthen their firm’s bottom line.”

Sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, Small Business Day is an opportunity for small business owners and managers to meet New Hampshire’s top policy-makers, learn more about legislative issues that could affect companies’ bottom lines, and receive valuable information about tools to help companies grow and prosper.

Governor John Lynch is scheduled to offer opening remarks. Senate President Sylvia Larsen, Senate Republican Leader Peter Bragdon, House Speaker Terie Norelli and House Republican Leader Sherm Packard are scheduled to participate on the State Leadership Panel.

"Never Too Small to Export", presented by Dawn Wivell, director of the NH International Trade Resource Center, will help small business owners will learn why exporting may be an option for their business and cost –effective ways to get started.

For more info on NH SBDC, visit www.nhsbdc.org.