TARCOG and Neighborhood Concepts, Inc., sponsored a free, three-hour Funding Lab workshop on Dec. 5, for business owners seeking to grow their businesses.

The AssistAL informational workshop held at the TARCOG office on Old Madison Pike, provided details of Alabama’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) capital program, the application process, and how businesses can get support along the way.

During The Funding Lab, Reginald Smith, small business finance expert, covered details about a new SSBCI program, including how it can help businesses, how the process works, and what they may need to better their chances of success. Michelle Kloske, a business advisor with the Alabama Small Business Development Center at UAH, was also there to answer questions.

Harry Lawler, owner of Sunny Blues Barbershop in downtown Huntsville, said he learned a lot of “great information” that will help him grow his business. He started his own shop after cutting hair for 20 years and spending eight of those managing three shops for a company that served Redstone Arsenal.

He started his shop on Jefferson Street about three years ago.

Harry said his biggest takeaway from the Fund Lab was about how to present himself when going to talk to someone about a loan.

“Basically, I learned that I don’t need to talk too much, that the paperwork will speak for itself,” he said. “I’m glad y’all held this workshop and I’m glad that I came. I would come again if you had it.”