New York State Small Business Development Center at Binghamton University to host Hemp Symposium and Expo

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The New York State Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) at Binghamton University will host a Hemp Symposium and Expo from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Innovative Technologies Complex, 45 Murray Hill Rd., Vestal.

The center is seeking to provide access to learning and engagement opportunities to help guide individuals and small businesses that are interested in the emerging hemp market.

“We have been experiencing an increase in hemp industry interest since the Small Business Administration determined that we can now advise small businesses associated with hemp, provided they meet certain guidelines,” said Rochelle Layman, regional director of the NYSBDC at Binghamton University. “It is a critical time to ensure that decision-makers have access to the most current information to help them make informed choices, in a variety of segments, from processors to retail and growers.”

The symposium will feature more than 20 different learning opportunities. In addition, the event will allow exhibitors to offer products and services related to the hemp industry.

The full slate of presenters is being finalized, but will include Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Kaelan Castetter of CSG Hemp, Janice Gegni from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Marcel Lamb from the New York State Department of Labor. Courses will be available in financing, employment practices, compliance, market identification and agricultural management. Presentations will provide information and resources that cover technology, retail, agriculture and processing.

Early-bird registration is $40, and will be available through Wednesday, Dec. 11, with symposium registration closing Tuesday, Jan. 7. Registration will include access to learning opportunities, a continental breakfast, lunch and parking for the day.

Attendee registration and exhibitor information is available online by visiting http://bit.ly/HempSymposiumExpo or by calling 607-777-4024.

The New York State Small Business Development Center (New York SBDC) ─ the premier business assistance organization in New York State ─ provides expert management and technical assistance to startup and existing businesses across the state. The New York SBDC is administered by the State University of New York and funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New York and host campuses.

The Small Business Development Center’s goal is to assist entrepreneurs, business and industry in the solution of their problems, which leads to increased profitability for the entrepreneur and increased investment and job creation for the community. By assisting new and existing small business firms, the SBDC contributes to the stability and growth of the small business sector of the economy in New York state.

Since inception in 1984, the SBDC in Binghamton has assisted 26,783 clients and helped to raise more than $350 million in private and public funding for their businesses, and has helped create or save 16,420 jobs across the Southern Tier of New York. The SBDC Regional Office in Binghamton provides support for 12 counties in New York state: Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins, Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates.

For more information about the symposium and expo, contact Layman at 607-777-4024.