WEST POINT — Small business owners who are looking to capitalize on funding opportunities will have a venue to discuss their options Wednesday afternoon.
The U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting a business expo Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the West Point Depot, located at 500 3rd Ave.

These business expos assist business owners by showing pathways to increase access to capital for rural small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and producers, according to the USDA.

“Both agencies have loans that rural entrepreneurs can use to start, run, keep and grow their companies,” a news release from the USDA says.

The expo is free to anyone, according to Karen Davis, USDA Rural Development business and cooperative programs director.

She said participants will hear from the SBA and the USDA about resources available to small businesses, hear from a panel of business owners sharing best practices for rural businesses, and network with numerous organizations that provide free or low-cost assistance to rural entrepreneurs.

David said the USDA wants to improve rural communities, so everybody has a chance to prosper.

“Rural areas they really need businesses locating there so people who graduate from high school and college can stay in their local community and make it a sustainable rather than going off to urban areas,” she said.