Registration Open For Small Business Forum on May 5 (4/21/2016)

AUSTIN - The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is excited to host the Capital For Texas Small Business Forum on Thursday, May 5, 2016, in conjunction with National Small Business Week, at the State Capitol in Austin. The free forum is geared towards small, minority, women-owned, disadvantaged and historically underutilized businesses, and provides an opportunity for networking and learning. The Capital For Texas (C4T) small business loan program will also be highlighted during the event. 

“With more than 2.2 million small businesses in Texas, it’s important we work together to empower them to grow jobs in Texas,” Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said. “Through programs like the Capital For Texas small business loan program and events like the May small business forum, we are giving Texas businesses an opportunity to network, learn and grow from one another, as they work towards expanding their footprint right here in the Lone Star State.”

Helen Callier, president of Bradlink LLC, will emcee the event. Callier was recently named the “Women in Business Champion of the Year” by the U.S. Small Business Administration for the Houston District. Callier is widely recognized as a champion of women-owned small business.

Attendees at the small business forum will have the opportunity to learn about TDA’s new C4T loan program. TDA has partnered with Community Development Financial Institutions to provide capital for small business loans through this program. Additionally, participants can attend workshops on how to grow their business and how to become certified as a GO TEXAN member, as well as receive small, minority business certifications. The HUBZone certification program will take center stage during the afternoon sessions and will be followed by a power networking session with a raffle giveaway.

Registration is currently open. To learn more about the event, click here, and for more about the C4T program, click here.

National Small Business Week takes place May 1-7. This year’s theme is “Dream Big, Start Small.”