FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2010

CONTACT: Kari West

City of Parsons, Public Information Officer

Area Banks, Downtown, City Partner with LCC to spur businesses

PARSONS, KS — Thinking outside of the box is a good thing; especially when it comes to small business development. Last year, area banks along with the City of Parsons, Downtown Parsons, Inc., and Labette Community College offered the first Foundations of Small Business course. As a result of the course, Labette County has three new businesses. Due to the success, the partners have joined together once again to offer Foundations of Small Business at Labette Community College. The course will run from March 9 to June 3, and will conclude with a business plan competition.

Although the idea of a business plan competition is not new to the country, it is a new retail recruitment technique for southeast Kansas. According to Kennett, the Business Plan Competition is intended to simulate the real-world process of entrepreneurs with the help of LCC’s course, Foundations of Small Business.

The class will include topics such as what are the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur, developing a business plan, legal issues, financing, accounting and cash flow, marketing and addressing expansion and handling issues.

“During the class we will bring in local business owners and field experts to host discussions relevant to business in the real world setting,” says MiChielle Cooper, LCC Workforce Development Coordinator.

The City of Parsons, LCC, Downtown Parsons, Inc., and the Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University will be great resources to individuals who are ready to step out with their own company.

Upon completion of the class, course participants will be invited to participate in the Parsons Business Plan Competition, where judges will review the plans including financial feasibility and sustainability and select one winner.

The winner of the business plan competition will receive an incentive package, which is currently being developed.

“This program simply reinforces the City of Parsons long-standing commitment to fueling our retail economy,” Kennett said. For several years we have offered retail recruitment packages to entrepreneurs who were willing to put together a business plan, and secure funding for a new business in our community.

“The Business Plan Competition gives entrepreneurs the push to finalize their business plans and receive feedback from a panel of judges, in addition to the ultimate prize,” said Kennett.

To help grow the class, the city will offer five $275 scholarships. Contact LCC at the number below for the scholarship application. Interested entrepreneurs can also visit www.parsonsks.com for more details. To enroll in the course or for scholarship opportunities for this course, call LCC at 620-820-1273.

###