WILLMAR - The public is invited to attend a discussion of ways small towns can use their resources to attract new businesses.
Boomtown USA is a morning of discussion about using local resources and engaging younger people in the business community. Participants will also talk about breaking through government red tape to attract industry and new business.
The gathering begins with registration at 8 a.m. Sept. 29 at the MinnWest Technology Campus auditorium.
A discussion about success in small towns begins at 8:30 a.m. and a discussion about community development at 10:15 a.m.
The cost is $15.
The discussion will be led by Craig Lindvahl, a former teacher, a filmmaker and executive director of the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship in Illinois.
Lindvahl is founder of the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities program. A local CEO program includes students from Willmar, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City and New London-Spicer high schools.
The program began its second year in the area this month.
In CEO, students visit area businesses, talk with business executives and open their own businesses.
They close the school year with a trade show, at which they present their business ideas to the public.
Many CEO students express an interest in starting businesses in their home areas.
Lindvahl will lead the discussion based on two books: “Boomtown USA: The 7 1/2 Keys to Big Success in Small Towns,” by Jack Schultz, and “The Things You Wish You Knew Yesterday,” by Lindvahl.
To register for the event, go to willmarlakesarea2040.com to print out a registration form. Questions should be directed to Leslie Valiant, Spicer Economic Development Authority, 320-796-5562 or
lvaliant@cityofspicer.org
.
