The day will begin with the Lenders Forum from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Sauk Valley Community College in the Hellmich Riverview Conference Center, Rooms 1H16/1H18. The forum will provide lenders and economic development professionals with updates on programs and resources available to support small business financing.
Featured presenters include Robert Owens with Advantage Illinois, Rebecca Huston with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, and Brenton Witherby with the Rockford Local Development Center SBA 504 CDC. Presenters will share the latest information on Advantage Illinois, programs available through the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, and SBA 504 financing.
Following the morning forum, the Illinois SBDC will host an Access to Capital Workshop at 1:00 p.m. in the Hellmich Riverview Conference Center. The workshop is geared toward small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to understand their financing options better and prepare to approach a lender. Participants will learn about available funding resources and practical strategies for improving their access to capital.
The Access to Capital Workshop will feature perspectives from several organizations, including Pam Clodfelter with the Illinois SBDC, Chris Connors with Regional Economic Development, Robert Owens with Advantage Illinois Loan Assistance, and Vanessa Wahl with Sauk Valley Bank.
“Access to capital continues to be one of the most important issues facing entrepreneurs and small business owners,” said Justin Bergman, Director of the Illinois SBDC at Sauk Valley Community College. “These events bring together lenders, economic development partners, and business advisors so that our region has a better understanding of the financing tools available and how we can work together to help businesses successfully access capital.”
The Access to Capital Workshop is free and open to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Registration is available at SaukSBDC.com/training.
The Illinois SBDC at Sauk Valley Community College provides no-cost, confidential business advising to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Center assists businesses with planning, financial analysis, access to capital, marketing, operations, and other areas involved in starting, growing, and sustaining a business.
The Illinois SBDC at Sauk Valley Community College is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and Sauk Valley Community College.
Event Information
- Access to Capital Workshop
- Thursday, October 22, 2026 • 1:00 p.m.
- Rooms 1H16/1H18 • Sauk Valley Community College
- Free registration: SaukSBDC.com/training
