Published: October 27, 2008 10:22 am      

Franchise Fair postponed due to economic conditions

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The Southern Illinois Franchise Fair which was to be held Nov. 15 has been postponed until April due to economic conditions in the nation and the state.

“With the economic situation we’re in right now, the franchisers are just a little leery of doing anything now, until after the elections,” Rend Lake College Small Business Development director and Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce president Curt Mowrer said. “We thought after the first of January, things would pick up a little better and people get back into the spirit of economic development.”

The Southern Illinois Franchise Fair and Expo has been rescheduled for April 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn. It is the first event of its kind in Southern Illinois, and will be free and open to anyone who has an interest in opening a franchise business or learning more about franchises. Prospective business owners will be able to meet face-to-face with franchisers and those who provide financial resources during the fair. In addition, workshops geared toward the small business owner will be held in conjunction with the expo.

The franchise fair is being co-sponsored by the Rend Lake College Small Business Center, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson County Development Corporation.

“With the overpass, we feel this is a perfect opportunity to introduce franchise companies to the Mt. Vernon area,” Mowrer continued. “It will give entrepreneurs the opportunity to check out franchising, and franchisers will be able to find people who wish to invest in Mt. Vernon.

Although the fair is now a few months away, those with questions or who would like to register may contact Nicholas LeMay at the SBDC at lemay@rlc.edu.