Texas Tech Hosts Regional Economic Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Feb. 13, 2006
CONTACT: Sally Logue Post, sally.post@ttu.edu

LUBBOCK – Texas Tech University and the State of Texas Historically Underutilized Business Discussion Outreach Committee will host the 2nd annual Regional Economic Opportunity Forum March 22 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

The forum will be held in conjunction with one of several small business summits held across the state by the governor’s office. Gov. Rick Perry will speak at 9:30 a.m. about the business climates of Texas and the South Plains and the role small businesses and entrepreneurs play in Texas’ continued growth.

John Sharp, the chairman of the Texas Tax Reform Commission and former Texas Comptroller, will speak at noon. Also on the program are addresses by Joe Montes, Small Business Administration regional administrator, and Ron Lehman, Texas Workforce Commissioner for Employers.

The theme for the one-day forum is “Selling Texas One Region At A Time.” The summit will be a full day of discussion and education on a variety of topics of concern to small-businesses. How to get financing from myriad sources, HUB certification, healthcare options, and how to do business with the state are the major topics to be discussed. Participants will have an opportunity to network with city/state/federal procurement officers on how to bid on government contracts.

The pre-registration deadline is March 1 for the luncheon and for businesses and state or federal agencies wishing to set up an exhibit booth. The registration fee for state or federal agencies is $200 and $300 for non-governmental agencies. The forum is sponsored by Texas Tech University, HUB Discussion Workgroup Outreach Committee, and WorkSource of the South Plains.

Forum exhibits and workshops are free to the public. The cost of the luncheon is $20 per person.

To register for the luncheon or to obtain more information about the forum, contact: Lorenzo “Bubba” Sedeno, Texas Tech University manager of HUB operations, at (806) 742-4440 or bubba.sedeno@ttu.edu.

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