SBA’s regional chief says bad time may be best time
Tough times for the economy can be the right time for small businesses to expand their markets, the regional manager of the Small Business Administration told the Rotary Club of Kinston on May 16.
Don Spry, whose region encompasses 16 counties east of Interstate 95, touted the SBA’s training, mentoring and counseling services; its business loan guaranty program; and special programs for economically depressed areas as avenues to success for business people willing to take advantage of them.
“Opportunity is what the SBA is all about,” Spry said.
While a recession might not seem like an opportune time for small businesses, Spry says differently. “In a recession, people have a greater opportunity (to) make more money than when times are better because big business has had to cut back.”
Many businesses get off to a bad start — 80 to 90 percent of them fail in the first five years, Spry said — because owners have neither a plan nor guidance. The SBA, which frequently offers seminars in Kinston through Lenoir Community College’s Small Business Center, can help with both, he said. “The Small Business Administration is by far the largest business counselor available to you.”
The Rotary Club of Kinston meets at 1 p.m. each Thursday at King’s Restaurant.
Family history earns weekend spotlight
The Family History Society of Eastern North Carolina and the Heritage Genealogical Society are jointly sponsoring a Family History Weekend Friday and Saturday in Kinston.
The weekend will include history programs, research, family history photo displays, and networking. It is presented in partnership with the Heritage Place Library and Museum at Lenoir Community College, Visit Kinston-Tourism Development Authority, the Wilson Library at UNC and the Kellenberger History Room at the New Bern-Craven County Public Library.
Friday’s event starts at 6:30 p.m. with a buffet dinner at The Folded Napkin, 115 W. North St. Victor T. Jones Jr. will speak. The cost is $13 per person. Saturday’s events will begin at 10 a.m. at LCC’s Heritage Place, with presentations by Ranita Gaskins and Jason Tomberlin. At noon, an optional pre-paid Subway box lunch is available for $6 per person. The afternoon will be available for research and networking until 4 pm. The Saturday event is free and open to the public.
To register or make food reservations, call 252-349-0405 or go to encfamilies.org.