Funding organizations are coming together to guide and assist Latino business owners with a free workshop, Funding Expo and valuable resources that will assist them in learning how to access capital from different funding sources to help their businesses grow and thrive.
The Valley Sierra Small Business Development Center (SDBC), Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Stanislaus Equity Partners and Opportunity Stanislaus will host a free ‘Latinos in Business’ Funding Expo. It includes an in-person workshop with a panel of funding experts that will teach small business owners how to access capital from different sources including SBA loans, Microloans, Small Business Credit and Small Business Loans. The Funding Expo is scheduled for Thursday, March 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Papapolloni, 2501 McHenry Ave., Modesto. Registration is at bit.ly/modestofundingexpo. Bilingual advisors will be available.
Small businesses are the economic engine of every community, and today, more people than ever are starting or expanding their own business. In Stanislaus County, with Latinos making up over 47 percent of Stanislaus County’s population according to the 2020 US Census, many companies are owned and operated by Latinos proudly serving their communities with a diverse array of services and products.
“Many of these owners may not realize that there are a variety of funding resources available to their businesses. Having access to capital to support growth, adding of new technologies, and reach out to markets is a vital resource for any company in these rapidly changing economic times,” said German Zavalza, the Chief Innovation Officer and SBDC Director of Opportunity Stanislaus. “Our goal has been to bring expert resources together in one convenient event to discover what it takes to get funding.”
Valley Sierra SBDC is part of the Central CA Regional SBDC Network that since 2003 has assisted thousands of companies, from start-ups to established firms with no-cost consulting services, workshops and assistance in sourcing funds. This has helped to create and retain over 10,000 jobs, as well as creating more the $435 million in loans and equity. The Central CA SBDC and its five dedicated satellite Centers serve 14 counties in Central California: San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey, Stanislaus, Merced, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Fresno, Kings, Madera, Tulare, Kern, Mono and Inyo counties.
For more information about the Valley Sierra SBDC, visit ValleySierraSBDC.com.
