CLEVELAND, Tenn. (Feb. 9, 2009)—“Small business is critical to Tennessee’s economic well being,” Gov. Phil Bredesen says. “We must continue to take steps to assist small businesses, especially in these tough economic times.”

To give small businesses tools to help them survive, the Small Business Committee of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce is kicking off its 2009 Top Tools for Small Business program in conjunction with the Small Business Development Center at Cleveland State Community College to present “Managing Your Small Business in a Down Economy.”

“Managing Your Small Business” is the first of a yearlong series of presentations by the Small Business Committee designed to “Boost Sales” for small business owners.

“The Tennessee Small Business Development Center’s work is an important part of our efforts to provide our small businesses with tools to help them succeed,” Bredesen added.

In this Top Tools session, Rick Platz will address a wide range of steps business owners can take to preserve cash and maintain their business operation during the present national economic recession. It is critical for businesses to fully explore all the measures to be discussed in this presentation.

Platz, director Cleveland State’s Small Business Development Center, has been a counselor with the center since 1999. He has counseled hundreds of business owners in the successful operations of their businesses and understands the needs of small business owners.

Prior to working for the SBDC, Platz was vice president of marketing for Fortune 100 companies, specializing in new product development and integrated marketing programs.

The program will be held Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m. in the Chamber’s Conference Center at the Village Green Town Center. Registration for the program, which includes dinner, is $15, or Chamber members can register free of charge if they prefer to attend only the program. Call the Chamber at 472-6587 by noon on Friday, Feb. 13, to register for the meal/program or only the program.

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