SHAHEEN TO HOST SMALL BUSINESS FAIR AT SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY

(Manchester, NH) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen officially announced today the details of a Small Business Fair she will host at Southern New Hampshire University on Monday, June 29th.  The fair will provide New Hampshire's current and prospective small business owners an opportunity to meet directly with organizations and lenders who can help guide them through the process of obtaining financing for their businesses. 

"Small businesses are the foundation of New Hampshire's economy," said Shaheen.  "With so many business owners struggling to obtain the credit they need to stock shelves and pay bills, this fair will serve as an important resource for businesses to help them find the assistance they need during these difficult economic times."

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, Small Business Development Center, members of the New Hampshire Bankers Association, and many others will be present to discuss various lending options available to small businesses, including new provisions recently enacted to specifically help small businesses in this difficult financial climate.

Those wishing to attend the Small Business Fair must pre-register online at http://shaheen.senate.gov/services/rsvp/.

"In New Hampshire small business is big business," said Wit Jones, Small Business Administration District Director.  "This small business fair is a must-attend event where current and future small business owners will be able to get answers from experts to all their business questions in one place."

"Now, more than ever, small business owners and entrepreneurs need to know how to access all the resources available to them," said George Bald, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development. "I'm glad to be joining Senator Shaheen at this event where small business leaders can network and learn about many valuable resources to help them succeed."

Shaheen organized the Small Business Fair with the assistance of the Small Business Administration, Small Business Development Center, New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, the New Hampshire Bankers Association and Southern New Hampshire University.

Members of Shaheen's recently-formed Small Business Advisory Council will also attend the fair. The Council serves as an important link between Shaheen and New Hampshire's small business community, sharing challenges and timely information on how Shaheen can best support New Hampshire's small business economy. 

Full details of the fair including a list of participants follows:

WHAT:                 Small Business Fair hosted by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen

WHEN:                 8:30 - 11:00 a.m., June 29, 2009

WHERE:               Southern New Hampshire University

Hospitality Center Building Ballroom

2500 N. River Road

Manchester, NH

PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• U.S. Small Business Administration
• NH Department of Resources and Economic Development
• Small Business Development Center
• Members of the New Hampshire Bankers Association
• USDA Rural Development
• Women's Business Center
• Vested for Growth
• MicroCredit-NH
• Capital Region Development Council
• NH Manufacturing Extension Partnership
• The NH Job Training Fund
• Northern Community Investment Corporation
• SCORE
• Hannah Grimes Center
• NH Community Development Finance Authority
• Northeast Angels
• NH Alliance of Regional Development Corporations
• New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Center