SBA forum in Houston to center on rural aid
Ensuring rural prosperity in this corner of the state will be the focus of a forum today in Houston.
The U.S. Small Business Administration organized the event, which will begin at noon at the Rock Student Center, 2203 W. Pike St.
Officials from the SBA and U.S. Department of Agriculture will address unique challenges small business owners in rural areas face when trying to gain access to capital.
Commercial and nonprofit lenders will be present, along with SBA administrators Michelle Christian of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Robert Scott of the Great Lakes Region, and three USDA state directors: Curt Cocodrilli of Pennsylvania, Kris Warner of West Virginia and David Hall of Ohio.
SBA’s Pittsburgh District Office, which oversees 27 counties, disbursed more than $214.8 million in loans to entrepreneurs and small business owners in 2017.
Washington County native Kelly Hunt is director of the local office.