Economic development group to hold spring conference Friday in Dexter

The Southeast Missouri Economic Development Alliance will hold its annual spring conference Friday at the National Guard Armory on Highway 114 E. in Dexter, Mo. The theme of the conference is "Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development -- Growing Our Own Jobs."

The conference will begin at 9:15 a.m. with opening remarks and a panel of Stoddard County entrepreneurs talking about their successes and challenges as they grow their businesses. Sharon Gulick of the University of Missouri Extension-Community Economic & Entrepreneurial Development will present "How to Create a Community-based Entrepreneurial Environment." She will be followed by "Economic Development SWOT Analysis and Strategies for the Bootheel" presented by a five-member team of Master of Business Administration candidates, along with Jack Sterrett of Southeast Missouri State University.

The main speaker of the event is Sam Jones, regional administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The conference hosts, the Dexter Chamber of Commerce and the Stoddard County Industrial Development Authority, have arranged for an optional tour of Global Fuels LLC, the biodiesel plant near Dexter.

To register, call the Dexter Chamber of Commerce at (573) 624-7458. The fee includes continental breakfast and buffet luncheon.