A free seminar to help small businesses survive and thrive during the changing economy will be held at UNC Pembroke’s Regional Center at COMtech on Feb 24.

The seminar is titled “Business Success in Tough Times” and will be held from 7:30 - 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the Regional Center for Economic, Community and Professional Development.

Leading the seminar is Bob Moore, director of the Robeson Community College’s (RCC) Small Business Center and Beth Wilkerson, with UNCP’s Small Business Technology and Development Center. A complimentary light breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. and the seminar will begin at 8 a.m.

The seminar is a cooperative venture of the Small Business Center Network and the Small Business and Technology Development Center.

“The goal of this seminar is to encourage small businesses to seek free, one-on-one, confidential counseling from RCC’s Small Business Center and UNCP’s Small Business and Technology Center,” according to a joint statement from Moore and Wilkerson. “We can help businesses prepare success plans that will lessen their chances of failure due to economic conditions.”

The program is designed to provide a great deal of information in a short time frame. In addition to Moore and Wilkerson, guest speakers will also participate in the seminar. Participants should be prepared to ask questions of the panelists.

The seminar is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Please call (910) 775-4000 or email elizabeth.wilkerson@uncp.edu for reservations. Sponsors of this program include the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Pembroke Area Chamber of Commerce.