Fifth Third to host Small Business Expo on Tuesday

Fifth Third Bank in partnership with Tech Town will be hosting a Small Business Expo on Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at TechTwo, located at 6160 Cass Avenue in Detroit (former location of Dalgleish Cadillac). The expo will provide small business owners and entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet with some of the state's most knowledgeable small business experts to receive practical information that will help them bring ideas to fruition or take their business to the next level. Funding and technical assistance experts will be on hand to offer advice and guidance along with small business owners who will share first hand success stories ranging from how they brought their business back from the edge of fiscal oblivion to profitability, to tips to improve bottom line performance with partners. One-on-one assistance will be available on site or through a future appointment. "Fifth Third Bank has long been committed to the revitalization of the City of Detroit," stated Kala Gibson, senior vice president and head of business banking. "Education and assistance resources are an integral component of our relationship with the small business community." The following organizations will be on hand to provide Technical and Funding assistance: TechTown, The Small Business Administration, Opportunity Resource Fund, Booker T. Washington Business Association, Invest Detroit, Michigan Economic Development Fund, CEED, Bizdom U, Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, IRS, Enterprise Detroit, Jefferson East Business Association and Detroit Micro-Enterprise Fund. Attendance is free and small businesses can receive more information at (800) 246-5372. Attendees and the public can also visit the Fifth Third eBus and receive a free credit report, financial services consultation, financial literacy education or information about government assistance programs for businesses or individuals. The eBus will also be open to the public from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Fifth Third Bank's eBus has established partnerships with community organizations, non-profit agencies, city and municipal departments and citizens, to help community residents understand and gain access to resources and information that will help improve their quality of life right where they are--in their neighborhoods. Community residents will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from local area community service organizations such as IRS Taxpayer Advocate Services, The Children's Center, Detroit Parent Network, THAW WARM Training, Accounting Aid Society, Detroit Police Department, DTE Energy, and Donnie's Door, and talk about financial products and services available through Fifth Third Bank. Published: Mon, Aug 15, 2011