The Small Business Development Center located at Cleveland State Community College is sponsoring a Business Enterprise Resource Office presentation on Financial Strategies for Small Business. The presentation will be delivered by Sue Malone of Superior Financial and Ronald Wade, enterprise specialist, of the Knoxville Regional Office on Monday (March 21) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 130 of the CSCC Technology Building.

The BERO works to expand economic opportunities for small, rural, minority and women-owned businesses in Tennessee. BERO enterprise specialists provide technical, financial and management information assistance to entrepreneurs, start-ups and existing diversity businesses. BERO also works with the Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise Office assisting small businesses, women, and minority businesses with procurement opportunities.

The BERO provides technical assistance to diversity businesses and start-ups in the areas of business planning, licensing, finances, expansion, certification, relocations, etc. They identify resources that are available through partnering agencies such as the Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise, the Small Business Administration, Tennessee Small Business Development Centers, Tennessee Valley Authority, USDA Rural Development, Chambers of Commerce, Service Corps of Retired Executives, and various others.

The BERO has a new loan program especially for entrepreneurs and small businesses living and operating their businesses in rural Tennessee. The Rural Enterprise Loan Fund offers $500 to $10,000 low-interest loans for starting or expanding a business. To RSVP or for more information on this presentation, contact the SBDC at 478-6247 or visit the website at www.tsbdc.org. For more information on BERO, contact them at (800) 872-7201 or e-mail them at edc.bero@state.tn.us.