From left, front row, Traci Giddens, SBA program manager (Region IV); Sharyn Moreland, director, TSBDC. Back row, Charles Millirons, Jr., vice president/relationship manager, Cornerstone Community Bank; Mike Sarvis, president and CEO, Cohutta Banking Company; Walter Perry, SBA district director; and Jeff Olingy, Chattanooga State vice president, Economic & Community Development Division. Click to enlarge.
Two officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration visited the Tennessee Small Business Development Center in Chattanooga for the purpose of meeting the new director, discussing the local TSBDC’s 2012 objectives, and touring the Economic Development Center.
Administrators Traci Giddens and Walter Perry met with Jeff Olingy, Chattanooga State vice president for economic and community development, and Sharyn Moreland, the new director of the TSBDC.
TSBDC Advisory Council members Mike Sarvis, president and CEO of Cohutta Bank, and Charles Millirons, Jr., vice president/relationship manager at Cornerstone Bank, were also on hand to welcome the dignitaries.
Ms. Moreland arranged a tour of some of the businesses located in the Economic Development Center, which is housed within the TSBDC at 100 Cherokee Boulevard. The businesses Ms. Giddens and Mr. Perry visited included RMJ Tactical LLC, Cabeen Originals, Neslin Insurance, Madden Coach Lines and Tours, and Legends of the Game Cookie Company.
New businesses can lease space at the Economic Development Center for an economical rate until they are financially secure enough to relocate in the community.
The SBA through the local TSBDC provides loans and free counseling services to small businesses for the purpose of facilitating entrepreneurial development and growth assistance. The TSBDC is one of many community outreach programs overseen by Chattanooga State Community College.
Anyone interested in starting a business or needing assistance with a current entrepreneurial endeavor can contact the Chattanooga TSBDC at 756-8668 to schedule a counseling appointment or to register for various free or small fee business seminars listed at TSBDC.org.
Pictured from left to right, front row, Sharyn Moreland, director, TSBDC; Traci Traci Giddens, SBA program manager (Region IV). Back row, Walter Perry, SBA district director; Jules Doux, TSBDC counselor; Ann Dickerson, Legends of the Game Cookie Company; Carrie Carmack and Jonathan Carmack, RMJ Tactical, LLC; Andrew Neslin, Neslin Insurance Company; and Sarah Roberts, TSBDC secretary. Click to enlarge.