The ASU Small Business Development Center has recently teamed up with Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, local Chambers of Commerce and banks to offer free workshops in Mountain Home, Batesville and Jonesboro called Growing Your Business in Difficult Economic Times - Is Your Business Recession Proof. The seminar will be held free of charge in Mountain Home on Thursday October 30th from 1-4 pm and again on the 30th from 6-9 p.m. at the Baxter County Regional Libary.

Nationally, economic news is disconcerting between bail outs, rising unemployment rates, plunging interest rates by the FED and higher fuel costs. But are NCARED region business owners concerned about how these uncertain economic times either are now or may in the near future impact their business?

I would like to open up discussion from area businesses as to whether they feel that their businesses are being impacted by the economy. If not, why but if you are feeling the pinch, what is your business doing to prepare for any possible further economic downturn or recession?

Post your comments here. If you are concerned about the changes, contact the ASU SBDC and register for the free workshop on October 30th to find out how you can prepare your business for economic downturns. Call (870) 972-3517 or go on line to register at http://sbdc.astate.edu. or e-mail lois@astate.edu.

Herb Lawrence