The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Alabama (SBA) District office and Perry County Commissioner Albert Turner, Jr. are hosting a small business open house Monday July 9. The open house will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Marion Sleep Inn and Suites located at 1406 AL Highway 5 South in Marion.

The free event is open to any small business owners, future business owners and anyone interested in learning more about the U.S. Small Business Administration.

SBA Regional Administrator Ashley D. Bell and Turner will be present at the event.

Bell said when he assumed office, he made a pledge to visit the rural areas and show more attention to their needs.

“Turner spoke in Atlanta when I first came into office in February, and made comments about how over the years there has not been much attention to Marion from the Small Business Administration and other federal agencies,” Bell said. “He asked, as I assumed this position, that I not forget about the areas of rural Alabama.”

Staying true to his word, the visit to Marion is his first official visit to the city for rural development in Alabama.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the economy,” Bell said. “Over 98 percent of all businesses are considered small businesses, and roughly half of America works for small businesses.”

Bell said providing counseling to businesses that exist in rural areas is a great way to equip those businesses with the necessary tools to be able to create constant economic flow in rural communities.

“What’s important is the focus that we’re having on rural economy,” Bell said. “We firmly believe that America is only as strong as its rural economy. The best way to support rural economy is to help them create jobs.”

Loan programs, counseling programs, assistance in government contracting and exporting are just some of the resources that will be available to the entrepreneurs.

The SBA’s mission is to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners with necessary foundation, groundwork and resources to be a successful business owner.

For more information about the U.S. Small Business Administration, visit www.sba.gov.