Small Business Champions Reach Out to Cincinnati Entrepreneurs

Congressman Chabot Featured at Free Small-Business Training and Networking Event

CINCINNATI, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Small-business software leader Intuit joined forces this morning with the Hamilton County Development Company (HCDC) and the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) today to provide free business software and training toCincinnati-area small businesses. Congressman Steve Chabot (OH-1) was a featured speaker at the event, pointing out the importance of small businesses to theCincinnati-area economy. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, creating new jobs while developing innovative products and services," Chabot stated.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080821/DC31114 )

Intuit's Financial Freedom Foundation (IFFF) was represented by Rick Jensen, senior vice president, Small Business Group, who talked about Intuit's commitment to helping small businesses achieve their dreams. "Having a dream is enough to get your business started but to find success, entrepreneurs must build a strong financial foundation and establish their presence on the Web," said Jensen. "Our goal is to provide entrepreneurs with the easiest-to-use business management tools and resources available so they can clear these hurdles."

HCDC President David Main thanked both groups for their help. "Starting a small business is the American dream, but keeping your books in order can be a nightmare," Main said. "I speak on behalf of Cincinnati's smallest enterprises and job-creators when I say that this opportunity to receive free software and training is invaluable to entrepreneurs."

Chris Long spoke on behalf of CCIA, noting the dedication of the software industry to share the gifts of technology. "The members of CCIA are eager to share the benefits of their financial management software with those who need it most - from free tax preparation for low-income Americans to start-up financial software for small businesses, CCIA knows that technology is meaningless if it is not accessible to all."

Over the course of today's event,Cincinnati small business owners received complimentary:

-- Financial management software created specifically for small firms;

-- Training on the benefits of financial management and how to use the software;

-- Training on building a presence on the Web;

-- Access to community resources and community networking opportunities.

Participants also had an opportunity to meet fellow entrepreneurs from theGreater Cincinnati Area and learn about other community resources, such as technical training or loan advice specifically geared toward small-business owners.

Small business owners can access Intuit's free Simple Start financial management software by contacting the network of Small Business Development Centers servingCincinnati andNorthern Kentucky or by downloading it from a web site the Intuit Financial Freedom Foundation created for theCincinnati small business community -- www.INTUITeducation.com/Cincinnati. This web site also provides contact information for local small business support organizations such as HCDC, Small Business Development Centers and dozens of others.

About CCIA. The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is a nonprofit membership organization for a wide range of companies in the computer, Internet, information technology, and telecommunications industries, represented by their senior executives. Created over three decades ago, CCIA promotes open markets, open systems, open networks, and full, fair, and open competition. CCIA serves as an additional, and sometimes the only, eyes, ears, and voice, inWashington for our members. Our goal is to proactively protect and promote their legitimate interests, and to advance the broad common interests of our industries.

About IFFF. The Intuit Financial Freedom Foundation (IFFF) manages and delivers philanthropy programs and projects that promote financial strength and independence among those populations who would most benefit from the assistance, especially lower income and underserved taxpayers and small businesses.

About HCDC. The Hamilton County Development Company (HCDC) is a private, not-for-profit economic development corporation that administers three distinct program areas, any one of which in many communities operates as an independent agency. Overall, HCDC is a one-stop shop for economic development financing, local community economic development efforts and entrepreneurial assistance. Even with a public purpose mission, HCDC has a "bottom line" responsibility, both programmatically and financially, with its operational impacts measured through community and business development benchmarks. Visit www.hcdc.com for more information.

SOURCE Computer & Communications Industry Association

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