May 12-16, 2008
Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course

The Tennessee Leadership Center is offering the second annual Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course May 12-16, 2008 for community leaders and local, state and federal economic development professionals. Topics for this year’s course will include global trends, community development and process and practice of economic development.

The course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council and can be applied toward certification as a professional economic developer. To view the pdf brochure and registration form, click here. Online Registration is closed, however registration will continue On-Site May 12, 2008 in the Tennessee Tower.

For more information about scholarships, contact Michelle Williams at Michelle.Williams@state.tn.us.

May 19, 20, 2008
Community Express Loan Workshop Sessions in West Tennessee

Sue Malone of Superior Financial will return to West Tennessee to host the Community Express Loan Workshop for a two day tour covering Shelby and Chester Counties. The workshop will provide business owners and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to apply for an SBA Micro Loan ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Seating is limited and is on a first come, first serve basis.

Shelby County Express Loan Workshop

Event is sponsored by the TSBDC and SCORE.

Chester County Community Express Loan Workshop

Event is sponsored by the TSBDC and Henderson/Chester County Chamber of Commerce

McNairy County Community Express Program

Event is sponsored by the TSBDC and Selmer/McNairy County Chamber of Commerce

May 20, 21, 22, 2008
Upcoming TDOT Breakfast Meetings

The Tennessee Department of Transportation's Small Business Development Program is making plans for the annual TDOT Regional DBE and Prime contractor quarterly breakfast meetings during the month of May. All TDOT departments, prime contractors and TDOT certified DBE's are invited to meet with one another during these matchmaker events to learn more about the Prime Contractor's needs and the DBE's specialty area(s).

WHEN: May 20, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m

WHERE: TDOT Region 3 Complex, 6601 Centennial Blvd., Nashville, Tenn.

WHEN: May 21, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m

WHERE: TDOT Region 2 Complex, 4005 Cromwell Rd., Chattanooga, Tenn.

WHEN: May 22, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m

WHERE: TDOT Region 1 Complex, Smoky Mountain Resource Conservation & Developmental Council, 9737 Codgill Rd. Ste. 152B, Knoxville, Tenn.

May 22, 2008
Doing Business with the Government Workshop

Save the date for an upcoming workshop in Chattanooga on how to do business with the government. Attendees will learn valuable tools and insights to enable them to more successfully work with federal, state and local governments and agencies.

WHAT: Doing Business with Federal/State/Local Governments

WHEN: May 22, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m

WHERE: DRC (Development Resource Center) at 1250 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tenn.

WHO: Small businesses, woman-owned, minority-owned and rural businesses interested in working with the government.

May 29, 2008
2nd Annual Mid-South Economic & Business Development Summit

This year's Summit titled 20/20 Vision for West Tennessee will feature an array of topics that will provide an overview of economic development in the region. Topics include: Economic Development and Broadband, finding Resources in Your Community, Entrepreneur-ship A Boat that Floats, Get on!, Tourism and Retirement and a lot of networking. For more information contact Landy Fuqua at 731-587-7333.

June 5, 2008
Government Contracting Workshop: How to become certified to contract with the local, state and federal government"!

Russell Toone, UT-PTAC Counselor, Saundra Jackson, SBA State Coordinator for the Memphis Office, and Sharon Taylor, Small Business Counselor for theState of Tennessee ECD/BERO office will provide information on certification and contracting. The session will be held at University of Tennessee at Martin, The REED Center, in Martin, TN from 10AM-Noon.

June 19-20, 2008
Women Business Owners' Opportunities Conference

Registration is now open for the West Tennessee Regional Women Business Owners' Opportunities Conference that will be held at Southwest Tennessee Community College. This year's conference which is being hosted by the Tennessee Economic Council on Women, Southwest Tennessee Community College, and Tennessee Economic and Community Development has grown into a two day event which will feature The Business Boot camp on June 19th -- a day long group business planning competition where teams will develop a business concept, plan and present it to a panel of judges who will award prizes to the winning team on the following day.

The WBOOC Conference Day is slated for June 20, 2008 and will offer workshops on finance, marketing, business, management and personal development. Lynn Norment, Managing Editor for Ebony Magazine, will be the keynote speaker. Her topic will focus on our theme "Learning, Linking, and Leading."

For more information contact Sharon Taylor McKinney 901- 543-7426 or Sharon.K.Taylor@state.tn.us.