AERN home > News > Press release, November 2, 2010
Press Release
UA Contacts
Annette Watters, AERN co-director, 205-348-6191, awatters@cba.ua.edu
Paavo Hanninen, AERN co-director, 205-348-7011, phaninen@cba.ua.edu
AERN, The University of Alabama, Box 870221, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0221
Chambers County Contact
Elinor Crowder, Executive Director, Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, 334-642-1409
November 2, 2010
Ribbon-cutting will mark move to library for Small-Business Resource Center
On Nov. 10, Bradshaw-Chambers County Library will add to its wide range of services the Small-Business Resource Center that has been located at the Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce since 2008.
Going forward, the Library and the Chamber will partner to optimize the availability and aid that the resource center can provide to anyone in the area wanting to start or expand a small business or industrial operation.
The relocation will be launched with a Chamber ribbon-cutting at the Library on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. EST. Area residents are encouraged to come learn more about the resource center from University of Alabama's Entrepreneurial Research Network (AERN) representatives who will be present for the occasion.
At the Library, the resource center will be located in a closed study carrel that offers privacy and a buffer against traffic in the main room. There's a computer with access to the Internet and to the Alabama Virtual Library, a printer so that users can take away information with them and a wide range of printed material on hand. There's no charge for use of any of the material.
Both the computer and printed materials are a core collection of the Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network and represent a partnership between Chambers County and the University of Alabama. AERN, of which both the Chamber and Library are members, is a network of 15 rural Alabama counties that offers to local entrepreneurs the kinds of programs and resources usually found only in metropolitan areas.
The Chamber gained the Small-Business Resource Center and membership in AERN through a federal grant via the University of Alabama in 2008. AERN Project Directors Annette Watters and Paavo Hanninen, both of the University, will be on hand for the Wednesday ribbon-cutting and will then do a program on AERN for Valley Kiwanis Club at noon.
The resource center is being relocated to the Library for a better, more accessible location and more hours of availability than at the Chamber. "Space is increasingly limited at the Chamber and it's harder to schedule appointments because of Chamber meetings," said GVACC President Denise Clark.
"In contrast, the Library offers privacy in a quiet atmosphere that's conducive to doing research. GVACC will accelerate our marketing of the resource center in its new location and the Library will provide greater ease of access. We will partner with the Library to make it a great value for this area," said Ms. Clark.
Mary Hamilton, Director of Bradshaw-Chambers County Library and Cobb Memorial Achieves, noted that, "The same information that some businesses pay consultants thousands of dollars for – such as demographics and market analysis – you can get for free by doing some research yourself at the Small-Business Resource Center.
"From just outward appearances, the resource center looks like a computer and several shelves of books," she said. "But when you get into it, it's like opening a door that spills out an unbelievable amount of usable information. There's every type marketing plan imaginable – actual plans developed for businesses – and step-by-step guidance for so many different businesses."
Via the computer, clients can access the Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network (AERN). Among the many features on this site is "Ask a Librarian," which enables the client to email specific questions for an in-depth personal answer researched by a University of Alabama Business Librarian.
In addition, volunteers such as retired business leaders are being sought for meetings with resource-center clients to help them understand the wealth of free information that's available via the computer and the printed material.
As an added feature, Dr. Jackie DiPofi, Director of the Small Business Development Center at Auburn University, will set a monthly schedule to be at the Library to meet with resource-center clients asking for more guidance. She will be there on both Nov. 15 and Dec. 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This service is also free.
To schedule time for the resource center or for an appointment with Dr. DiPofi, call the Library at 334.768.2161. Walk-ins are also accepted as time permits.
"The University of Alabama and Auburn University are delighted at this opportunity to work together for the benefit of Chambers County," said AERN's Annette Watters.
"A good business plan is key—that's what gets you started," Ms. Clark noted. "The examples and guidance offered by the Small-business Resource Center are the best resource we've ever had locally. It's here, it's free and now it will be more accessible than ever."