Southern Illinois News

Illinois state Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud) wants business owners to attend his yearly Business Development Seminar planned for the end of April in Red Bud.

Friess announced details about the event in a recent Facebook post.

"If you or anyone you know owns a business, I encourage you to call my district office at 618-282-7284 to register for this event!" he said in the post.

The post also included a link where people could learn more in the representative's Friess Frame column on his website. There, he shared that the seminar would be held April 27-28 at Southwest Illinois College's campus in Red Bud. The seminar is geared toward business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups and administrators. Friess encouraged anyone who would like to participate to register by calling his district office or sending an email to DistrictDirector115@gmail.com.

The seminar is scheduled to run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. both days, a news release from his office said. It will be held at 500 W. 4th St., Red Bud, IL 62278. The release stated there would be sessions focusing on grant and loan application processes, a road map to receiving private funding, human resources hiring and retention, and the impact of tourism on businesses. Other topics will include regional economic development, enterprise zone funding, and how to maximize a business brand. Agencies conducting the sessions include the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, the Small Business Development Center, Job Services, Illinois Workforce Development, Regions Bank, Southwest Illinois College, Illinois South Tourism and the Monroe County Economic Development Corporation.

Friess, who represents the 115th District in the Illinois House of Representatives, has lived in the state for most of his life; his website biography  said. He served as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Air Force and later worked for Delta Airlines in Atlanta. He resides in Red Bud.