The Metropreneur and the Columbus Metropolitan Library are hosting the Finding Funding for Local Small Business Development Brown Bag Luncheon at the library on Sept. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A moderated panel discussion and Question & Answer session will feature the following professionals: Jonathan Beard, president and CEO of the Columbus Compact Corp.; Steven Fireman, president and general counsel for the Economic and Community Development Institute; and Scot Hardin, lender relations specialist at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Columbus District Office.
Beard is responsible for defining and implementing the Compact’s neighborhood scale retail and market rate housing development projects. Under his leadership, the Compact has worked cooperatively and independently to successfully develop and own more than $20 million in commercial retail/office and housing developments over the past seven years.
At ECDI, Fireman is helping the institute better serve entrepreneurs through its lending department, while directing the institute’s vision by overseeing its development and ensuring its programs continue to meet the needs of the community.
Hardin’s primary responsibility is marketing SBA’s loan products to its lending partners. Hardin has been with the SBA since 1990 and his previous duties include commercial loan underwriting, servicing, and liquidation functions.
The event, which is free and open to the public, includes the following:
- • 11:30 a.m.-Noon: Casual networking
- • Noon- 12:30 p.m.: Panel discussion on financing/funding small businesses and startups
- • 12:30-12:50 p.m.: Open Q&A with audience
- • 12:50 – 1:00 p.m.: Post-event discussion with panelists
To RSVP or learn more, call 614-645-2ASK. The library parking garage is free for the first hour, then 50 cents for each additional hour.
The Finding Funding for Local Small Business Development Brown Bag Luncheon helps celebrate Franklin County libraries’ Job Help Week, Sept. 13-17.
Have a question for our panel? Submit it in advance!
If there’s a topic you’d like to hear discussed at this event, a specific question you’d like answered or any other general information you’d like to see covered, just leave it as a comment at the bottom of this article.