Small Town News

To host NEO business forum

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Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins will be the keynote speaker at a small business forum hosted by Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College on Thursday, August 6. Askins will meet with owners and managers of small businesses in northeast Oklahoma to address the issues they are facing and how the state of Oklahoma can assist them.

The OK2Grow Northeast Oklahoma Business Forum will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom on the NEO A&M College campus.

Dr. Jeffery Hale, NEO president, said he welcomes the opportunity to host Askins yet again at NEO A&M.

"Small business owners will undoubtedly benefit from the information and updates that will be shared by Lieutenant Governor Askins," said Dr. Jeffery Hale, NEO president. 'Through the efforts of Larry Mocha, chair of the Oklahoma Small Business Advocacy Committee, and the OK2Grow Northeast Oklahoma Business Forum Committee, small businesses will be armed with information that is pertinent to them during these tough economic times."

Participants will attend sessions regarding Insure Oklahoma, workers' compensation updates, finance options for small businesses, and electronic marketing.

"We appreciate the contributions that small businesses make to the economy and to our communities in northeast Oklahoma," said Bethene Fahnestock, interim dean of the School of Human Environmental Sciences. "OK2Grow strives to provide educational resources to help these businesses prosper. We look forward to hosting this forum and similar offerings in the future."

Sponsors for OK2Grow include Arvest Bank, Bomford Couch and Wilson, First National Bank, Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma State Bank, Miami Area Economic Development Service, REC Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Security Bank, Welch State Bank, the Miami Area Chamber of Commerce, the Northeast Workforce Investment Board, the NEO Development Foundation, Grand Lake Manufacturing Council, the Oklahoma State Department of Commerce and Workforce Oklahoma.

The cost to participate is $20 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. To register, visit the NEO website at www.neo.edu and click on the OK2Grow logo at the bottom of the homepage. Those with questions regarding OK2Grow may call Fahnestock at (918) 540-6295.

Registration for OK2Grow will begin at 7:30 a.m. Those in attendance are encouraged to use this opportunity to network. A welcome will be given by Hale and Mocha.



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