APANO hosts third successful ‘Small Business Resource Fair’

Discover what guests received and learned, while attending this outer East Portland fair for company owners, and those wanting to start a business …

In the southeast corner of the Montavilla neighborhood, at the Portland Community College Southeast Campus, Small Business Resource Fair APANO Environmental Health Manager Jeremy Hart checks in another guest.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Held at the Portland Community College Southeast Campus in the Great Hall of the Mt. Tabor Building, the third APANO Small Business Resource Fair was underway on the Tuesday afternoon of March 4.

There, 25 governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and associations were on hand to connect small business owners and entrepreneurs with the resources they offer.

Welcoming participants to the fair is APANO Small Business Advisor Manager Grace Pae Henricks, Community Development Director Alisa Kajikawa, and Community Services Network PDX Outreach Coordinator Marin Ricketson.

“Although this is our third time holding this, it’s our second time here on the PCC Southeast Campus in partnership with the PCC Small Business Development Center,” organizer Alisa Kajikawa pointed out.

“Here are gathered all kinds of people who provide resources for small businesses from government agencies and nonprofit organizations,” Kajikawa confirmed to East Portland News.

At this “one-stop shop” for business information, guests gain information directly from people representing more than two dozen organizations.

Providing small business information, it’s Liam Pelot from Business Oregon.

New this year, the fair featured two breakout session rooms, Kajikawa said. “One of them is with our partner, the PCC Small Business Development Center; and another one is a ‘branding’ workshop. And, Energy Trust Of Oregon, one of our sponsors, will be sharing their incentive programs for businesses, too.”

Additionally other session topics included “Starting Your Business”, “Legal Assistance”, “Business Advising”, and “Workforce/Hiring”.

From learning how to start a business, to getting financing, visitors learn directly from representatives of the organizations that can help them.

“In past years we’ve heard that it’s really convenient to have so many of the resources together in ‘one stop’,” recalled Kajikawa. “This is a great ‘one-stop shop’ for people to learn what help is out there.

“While some people think the City of Portland is a difficult place to start and run a small business, they don’t realize that there are so many services and resources that are available to them here,” Kajikawa added.

“And, lest I forget, we’re so grateful for Community Services Network PDX helping us with the organizing logistics of putting on this event!”

To learn more about APANO, CLICK HERE.

>> On our Front Page: Abi Sloan of Energy Trust of Oregon shares information with a guest.

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