Aspiring entrepreneurs, and those who want to expand an existing business, will be able to tap into the know-how of business experts, credit and financial advisors at the Eastern Omaha Business Expo on Friday and Saturday, June 25 & 26, 2010.

The two-day event will provide information and networking opportunities for people who want to boost the level of commerce in the city’s most economically challenged areas. The expo will be held at the Omaha Public Schools’ TAC Building at 3215 Cuming.

On Friday, June 25th, 50 small contractors and business service providers will showcase their expertise and skills for public sector and private sector contractors and the area’s prime contractors. On Saturday, June 26th, a variety of private and nonprofit service providers in the areas of business development, financial and credit management will be on hand to coach aspiring and existing business owners on how to turn their dreams into reality.

The expo is the first formal event sponsored by the Eastern Omaha Business Collaborative (EOBC – members listed below). The collaborative’s goal is to connect business experts with small, emerging and start-up business owners who have limited access to capital, credit, business and technical services, especially those within the African-American and Latino communities. The EOBC is focused on a comprehensive list of small business needs including educational training, technical assistance and business support services such as marketing, IT, personnel management, risk management, accounting, financial management and legal issues.

EXPO DETAILS:

Friday, June 25th - Noon to 4:00 p.m. Contractors Showcase
Saturday, June 26th - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. New/Expanding Business Networking
Cost - $12 (covers both days for contractors / covers Saturday for New/Expanding Businesses)
@ the O.P.S. TAC Building at 3215 Cuming - 5th Floor
Online Registration - www.volunteersolutions.org/omaha    
(through the morning of June 26, 2010)
For more information - call 402-522-7966

MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN OMAHA BUSINESS COLLABORATIVE:
United Way’s Financial Stability Partnership™, the City of Omaha-Mayor’s Office, Greater Omaha Chamber – North Omaha Development Project/Capacity Building Taskforce, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City – Omaha Branch, Nebraska Business Development Center, Omaha Small Business Network, North Omaha Contractors Alliance, South Omaha Business Alliance, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Family Housing Advisory Services, Neighbor Works, Metropolitan Community College, Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership, Empowerment Network, Mihos Security Group, Opportunity@Work, Omaha Economic Development Corporation, Score/SBA, Urban League of Nebraska and other interested business partners.