Published: October 22, 2008 09:15 am      

Franchise fair coming to Mt. Vernon

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — After a year of planning, a franchise fair will be held in the King City on Nov. 15.

Last year, after members of the Jefferson County Development Corporation and the city attended a meeting of the International Council for Shopping Centers, JCDC Executive Director Mary Ellen Bechtel said a franchise fair would allow area business people to explore the opportunities for opening new business.

“Many of the retail opportunities out there are actually franchise opportunities,” Bechtel said. “Those are great for our area, with people who live in our area able to go into business. The design of franchises is good, because people with no experience owning a business get the help and support they need to open a new business.”

Bechtel said she had spoken with Rend Lake College Small Business Development Center Director Curt Mowrer, and tentative plans were made to hold the event in the fall of 2008.

The Small Business Development Center, JCDC, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities as well as franchise architects are partnering to bring the first Southern Illinois Franchise Expo on Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn.

“As the first of its kind in Southern Illinois, the Expo will feature a unique opportunity for prospective business owners to meet face-to-face with various franchises and financial resources,” information from the college states. The Expo is free to attend. In addition, workshops will be held which are geared towards the prospective small business owner.

Bechtel, Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley and City Manager Ron Neibert will be attending the ICSC conference next week in Chicago, according to Chesley.

The ICSC has real estate agents who scout areas open for franchise development and meet the needs of the various franchises available, Bechtel said last year after attending the conference.

“The people we talked to with franchises were interested in coming here,” Bechtel said. “We’re working to build our list now, and then get word out to the general public to discuss the opportunities available. ... We made great contacts with companies who are interested in attending the event. ...”

Registration to the Southern Illinois Franchise Expo is not required, but suggested. Additional questions and registration information may be directed to Nicholas LeMay at lemay@rlc.edu.