Small businesses learn of loans, opportunities at seminar

BRUNSWICK — A seminar Tuesday offered area small-business owners information on bank loans and potential business opportunities.

About 30 regional small-business owners, bankers and city representatives attended the event at the Midpoint Campus Center.

U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Copley Township, left, talks to Deb Krejci, a business development leader with Huntington Bank, Tuesday morning during a small business seminar at the Midpoint Campus Center in Brunswick. About 30 people attended the event. (GAZETTE PHOTO BY STEVE GRAZIER)

“We want to help you fight forward into recovery,” U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Copley Township, told those in attendance. “Small business is the economic engine that makes our communities tick.”

Sutton, who organized the seminar, said small businesses hire the bulk of workers in America. She cited access to capital as an ongoing issue for small businesses in tough economic times.

Sutton is running for re-election against Congressman Jim Renacci in the redrawn 16th Congressional District.

Acquiring small-business bank loans, including eligibility requirements, fees and interest rates, was among the topics covered Tuesday.

Gil Goldberg, local director for the U.S. Small Business Administration, said $452 million in loans went to 1,434 small businesses in 28 northern Ohio counties — including Medina County — in 2011. The effort was mainly because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and President Obama’s jobs bill, he said.

“Individual banks are lending again, even though there’s still distress out there,” he said.

During the seminar, business owners heard about avenues to sell goods and services to the federal government. An annual outreach seminar attended by city, state and federal buyers with local businesses is scheduled for May 3 and 4 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, said John Renner, business development specialist with the association.

“The federal government is the largest purchaser in the United States,” Renner said.

Melissa Krebs, president and chief executive officer of the Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce, said she wanted to hear Sutton’s remarks and gain more knowledge about ongoing business initiatives.

Contact Steve Grazier at (330) 721-4012 or sgrazier@medina-gazette.com.

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