Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—If you have questions about starting a business or about operating a business, the Meramec Regional Business Fair will offer answers. Representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA), Missouri Department of Economic Development, area realtors, insurance agents, lenders and other community leaders will gather at The Centre, 1200 Holloway St., Rolla, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 3 for the Meramec Regional Business Fair.

Vendors will provide information and be available to answer questions about their products and services throughout the day.

“The purpose of the event is to bring together as many available resources as possible that would benefit small businesses, new or existing, to one location,” said Maria Bancroft, Business Loan Specialist at Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC).

Visitors may drop by the event at their convenience and visit with vendors.

“Vendors include local lenders and banks, Missouri Department of Economic Development, insurance companies, realtors, Small Business Administration, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Small Business and Technology Development Center, Meramec Regional Development Corporation and Justine Petersen,” Bancroft said.

Booths are still available at the event.

“Anyone interested in a booth should contact me,” Bancroft said. “There is no charge, but space is limited.”

For more information, contact Bancroft at mbancroft@meramecregion.org or 573-265-2993, ext. 114.

The Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Center at Missouri S&T and the Rolla Regional Economic Commission are helping sponsor this event in partnership with MRPC and MRDC.

Meramec Regional Development Corporation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation that is also a Small Business Administration Certified Development Company (CDC). MRDC serves primarily Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. MRDC is a local volunteer board making local decisions that result in job creation for the Meramec Region. MRPC provides day-to-day operations for MRDC.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 24, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion.