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Chamber to host ‘Entrepreneur Event’ June 21

The pandemic has driven an increase in the number of people looking to start or grow a small business.

A Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry event set for Wednesday, June 21 aims to help those people in their next steps.

“Entrepreneur Night” will be held on the 21st at Bent Run Brewing Company from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

John Papalia, director of chamber operations, called it a “networking-type event.”

“We’ve absolutely seen an increase in people looking to start a business or grow them,” he explained. “Often times, they look for ‘Where do I turn to get help?’ We try to be that person that makes the connections.”

Papalia said that helping businesses start, grow and expand is one of the “main functions” of the chamber and this event will allow business owners to network with each other but also with regional partners like CareerLink, the Northwest Commission and Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

“(We will) fill people in on what services they provide,” Papalia said, explaining that there are “lots of places to get help” and this event brings those people “together in the same room.”

It’s also a time for business owners to share successes and concerns with each other.

“I’m a big believer in peer discussions,” he said, and this event will allow business owners to “meet some folks that are going through the same process.”

The event is open to anyone that’s interested.

Papalia said RSVPs can be made to him — jpapalia@wccbi.org — or Savannah Casey — szimmerman@wccbi.org — or by calling the chamber at (814) 723-3050.

This is another step that the Chamber has taken to support the small business community in the wake of a partnership with the Gannon Small Business Development Center earlier this year for business consulting services.

Papalia said those appointments were filled in April, May and JUne and they’re scheduling for July at this point.

“Coming out of COVID probably helped,” he said. “People got a taste for being at home” and the freedoms that can provide and are looking to “establish (their business) or grow further. It’s awesome, wonderful.”

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