SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Starting your own business takes a lot of work. From collecting money, to finding a building, hiring employees and handling marketing, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the process.Â
Ethan Posey, the Director of the city of Springfield's Community Relations Department, recently launched the Minority Business Institute to help answer common questions new business owners have.Â
"I've seen a number of minority business owners and nonprofit organizers come up with great plans for things that they want to do and impact the community, and it seems like when they try to work with the city, one way or another, something happens where that gets held up or they run into a hurdle," said Posey.Â
The eight-week program helps business owners connect with city officials or other local leadership that can help answer questions. They cover topics like zoning, city ordinances and bidding process.Â
The institute will also help nonprofits learn basics they need to know, and help business owners learn how to support nonprofits.Â
"This is our way from the city side of saying, 'okay, how do we help build capacity and community with our minority business owners, but also how do we get more people to utilize the abundance of resources that are here?'" said Posey. "We're really trying to step in and educate people on the front end what the hurdles are."
Posey said the more information business owners have, the more chances they have to recognize any potential hurdles and have a better idea of the issues they could run into.Â
The city is also planning a small business symposium to help all small business owners connect with each other and learn about city resources.Â
For more information on the program or to get involved, call the Office of Community Relations at 217-789-2270.Â
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