A-State SBTDC, Regional Center for Disaster Preparedness Education To Hold Seminar

JONESBORO -- Bad weather is no stranger to Arkansans, but disaster preparedness and emergency management might be to some. The Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) and the Regional Center for Disaster Preparedness Education have teamed for a "Disaster Preparedness for Small Business" seminar.

The event will be held Friday, Jan. 30, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, 1709 East Nettleton Avenue. The seminar is free and open to the public.

Area small business owners will be offered an opportunity to learn how basic planning tools can increase the likelihood of survival for their small business in the event disaster strikes. Participants will walk through the steps of a continuity of operations plan and understand the importance of having a plan like this in place.

"If you don't plan and mitigate, recovery is that much more strenuous," said Dr. Deborah Persell, program director for the Regional Center for Disaster Preparedness Education at A-State. Persell, an expert in disaster preparedness and emergency management, is the guest lecturer at the seminar.

Topics will cover background and significance of small business disaster preparedness, the disaster cycle and a continuity of operations plan for small businesses. There will be an opportunity at the end of the program for questions concerning specific businesses and their operations.

While the event is free, seating is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, call (870) 972-3517 or visit http://asbtdc.org/training/jonesboro-events to register online.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested in advance. Contact Kelli Listenbee, A-State SBTDC training specialist and business consultant, at (870) 972-3517.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Arkansas State University is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the University of Arkansas-Little Rock College of Business and Arkansas State University College of Business. The ASBTDC assists start-ups, existing businesses and technology businesses. Core services include free consulting and market research plus low to no-cost training. Learn more at astatesbtdc.org.

This free event is co-sponsored by the A-State Regional Center for Disaster Preparedness Education, the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Arkansas State, First Community Bank, First Security Bank, Focus Bank, Simmons Bank, Arkansas State College of Business and the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.