UDA, SCORE offer courses for downtown businesses

Downtown Springfield businesses will be able to pick up some tips for success at a series of free courses starting in 2009.

Urban Districts Alliance has partnered with SCORE-Counselors to America's Small Business and the city of Springfield to offer small business education courses, taught by volunteers from SCORE, formerly known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives.

The first class will be 6-9 p.m. Jan. 5 at Ozarks Technical Community College and will be one of two Small Business Basics courses, according to a UDA news release. Topics will include financial basics, developing a business plan and finding financing. The second basics class will be Jan. 12 and will cover marketing, advertising and e-commerce.

Three additional classes are scheduled for Feb. 2, March 2 and April 6 and will focus on more in-depth topics such as finance, human resources, customer service and facilities.

The courses are free to downtown businesses, but advance registration is requested. Register by contacting C-Street Community Development Coordinator Donnie Rodgers Jr. at (417) 880-3435 or donnie@itsalldowntown.com.

Funding for the program is provided by the city through a Community Development Block Grant, according to the release.