The Virgin Islands' entrepreneurial spirit will take center stage at an Entrepreneurial Fair to be hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The Fair will run from 9 a.m. to noon in the Great Hall on UVI's Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.
Organized by UVI's Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (UVICELL) Center and the VI Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the event is designed to establish connections between aspiring business owners, existing business owners and agencies that offer assistance to these businesses. The Entrepreneurial Fair will provide vital tools, resources and ideas to people interested in opening their own businesses. While highlighting the establishment of new businesses, the fair will also provide valuable assistance to small business owners who may be thinking about expanding or who need assistance in reaching their goals.
"With the current state of the economy, many people are carefully monitoring market conditions looking for signs of improvement," said UVICELL Director Ilene Garner. "Small business development is actually one of the ways to help improve the economy," Garner said. "For those who dream of starting or improving their business, we want to provide them with practical advice and one-on-one, on-site support to help them succeed."
A number of service providers will be on hand to offer support and information such as VI Small Business Development Center, the Economic Development Authority, the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, the VI Department of Labor, the U.S. Small Business Administration, UVI's Research and Technology Park, UVICELL's Safety in Paradise Program and the UVICELL Center.
The fair will include presentations, networking opportunities and short workshops on a variety of topics. The event is free to the public. For details, contact the UVICELL St. Croix Office at (340) 692-4230.