Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – Oct. 1, 2025 – The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) at Arkansas State University will offer opportunities in October for current and future small business owners to learn about funding, growing and marketing their businesses.  

ASBTDC provides one-to-one confidential guidance to business owners and entrepreneurs.  

Primary areas of assistance include business planning, financial analysis, market research, loan packaging, growth and expansion, marketing and profitability. 

Consulting sessions offer opportunities for business owners to meet with an ASBTDC business consultant. There are limited spots for consulting sessions.  

The sessions and classes will take place as follows: 

  • Monday, Oct. 6 – Reba Shipley, a tax specialist with M & S Financial, will join ASBTDC to host a “Getting Tax Ready” webinar from 2 until 3:30 p.m. One may learn more online.  
  • Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Robert Bahn, A-State ASBTDC business consultant, will lead a “Starting A Business in Arkansas” seminar from 9 a.m. until noon at the Osceola/South Mississippi County Chamber of Commerce, located at 116 N. Maple St. in Osceola. 
  • Thursday, Oct. 9 – Laura Miller, A-State ASBTDC director, will lead small business consulting sessions from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 409 Vine St. 
  • Friday, Oct. 10 – Miller will lead small business consulting sessions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Newport Chamber Depot, located at 209 Hazel St. 
  • Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Miller will lead consulting sessions for small businesses from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at City Hall in Cave City. 
  • Wednesday, Oct. 15 – Destiny Adams, A-State ASBTDC business consultant, will lead consulting sessions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Black River Technical College, located at 1410 Highway 304 East in Pocahontas. 
  • Tuesday, Oct. 21 – Bahn will lead a “Using AI To Grow Your Business” seminar from 10 until 11:30 a.m. at The G.I.N., located at 200 – 212 N. Pruett St. in Paragould. 
  • Wednesday, Oct. 29 – Adams will lead consulting sessions from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Corning Community Center, located at 538 E. Elm St. 

While there is no charge for the events, registration is required. To register, call 870-972-3517. To learn more about ASBTDC, click here.

These in-person events are available at no cost thanks to mission co-sponsors First Community Bank, FNBC Bank, East Arkansas Planning and Development District, Bank OZK, First Security Bank, Capital CDC, Simmons Bank, and Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority. 

A-State ASBTDC is supported by the A-State Neil Griffin College of Business and the Office of the Provost. This program is also supported by federal funding. Full disclosures are available here.