EVANSVILLE - More small-business owners are turning to Evansville to open up shop. As the downtown area develops, the Chamber of Commerce Southwest Indiana said more people are taking an interest in the River City.

The business development division at the Chamber of Commerce is seeing more action this year. The small business development center, located on Main Street, has advisors that help people turn their ideas into business plans. They see around 200 clients a year and help people put together a financial case, understand the cash flow, and find a banker. Advisors at the Chamber of Commerce said more small-business owners are coming to Evansville, because of the supportive infrastructure and skilled workers in the area. Restaurants and manufacturing jobs are experiencing the most growth.

Kim Howard, Vice President of Economic Development at the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana, said, "We're seeing a lot of people who are very interested in exploring the idea. We've had more people that have contacted us about putting together a business plan, trying to understand the market here and what might be an opportunity. People are looking at franchises now more than they had in the past"

Information on The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest IN - Business Development division:

812-425-8147

318 Main St. Ste. 401

Evansville, IN 47708

http://www.ccswin.com/busndev/

Source: http://www.news25.us/story/16002243/small-business-growth-in-evansville

The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana is launching a free application, titled Discover Southwest Indiana, for use on iPhones and certain iPod models.

Matt Meadors, the chamber president and chief executive officer, said the iPhone app strongly complements the organization’s efforts to communicate the region’s attributes as an excellent location to live and successfully operate a business while providing the chamber with a tool to connect with its members and the broader community in real time.

Designed by Agent511, an Owensboro, Ky.- and Chicago-based mobile technology company, the Discover Southwest Indiana app has a number of featured links, including Southwest Indiana Events, CCSWIN Marketplace, Business Directory, Public Policy on Twitter, Chamber CEO on Twitter, Employment, Become a Member and Contact Us.

The application is available for downloading from the Apple iTunes store.

Meadors said “The Chamber’s professional staff will now be able to continually update the business community and others on the organization’s activities, efforts and impact.

“Our new CCSWIN Marketplace feature will provide our members with a mechanism to drive customers to their businesses by providing them with a dynamic communications tool that they can modify at will to offer coupons, specials and other incentives to the consumer.

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/feb/24/Chamber-launch/