Making the local business connection - #lakewoodnews

Jefferson County is a friendly place for small businesses --; and businesses say they have noticed.

Small businesses make up 80 percent of the county's business population, which means there's competition for customers and attention.

For the third year, the Jefferson County Business Resource Center hosted the Small Business Resource Fair on Sept. 22 at the Jeffco Fairgrounds to provide business owners with connections and information. As well as some door prizes, for good measure.

"We're always looking for opportunities to support local businesses," said Amira Watters, executive director of the resource center. "This event gives business owners a way to connect with people they would not meet otherwise."

County Commissioner Don Rosier presented a proclamation declaring the third week of September small business resource week, and local author businessman Tim Brown gave a keynote speech.

The event was the biggest resource fair yet, featuring booths from a variety of organizations, including the Jefferson County Library, Golden and Evergreen Chambers of Commerce, the American Job Center and Red Rocks Community College.

"It's really grown from last year," said Bill Marino, chairman of 40 West Arts District, which had a booth at the event. "Folks are stopping by because they want to know who we are, and are excited once they learn what we're about."

If the bite-sized candy and treats at almost every booth wasn't incentive enough to visit, the resource center created a game to encourage visitors to check in with all the vendors. Visitors who received a signature from every booth were entered to win door prizes, like Broncos tickets, or a "staycation" at Golden's Table Mountain Inn.

"The feedback I've had from vendors and visitors has been great," Watters said. "We had so many great volunteers help put this together."

For people like Mary Anne Fleet, executive director of the Lakewood Symphony Orchestra, the event was an opportunity to get her finger on the pulse of the business community and spread the word about the orchestra.

"I really enjoy visiting with everyone in that community," she said. "This year's fair was better than ever."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Making-the-local-business-connection,236435