Entrepreneurs and small business owners on the Central Coast will have a chance to learn practical strategies for financing growth at a free workshop in Florence this week. “Access to Capital: Financing for Resilient Businesses” is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Florence Events Center. The session is designed to demystify the funding process for startups and expanding firms, with a focus on actionable steps, available tools, and real-world examples of how local companies have put those tools to work.
The program will be led by Marc Bellantoni of Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency. Bellantoni plans to outline the typical path a business follows when preparing to seek capital, including how to assess readiness, assemble documentation, and evaluate which financing options best fit a company’s stage and goals. The workshop will cover a range of funding sources that Oregon businesses commonly consider, such as bank loans, community development programs, revolving loan funds, and investment vehicles intended for early-stage or growth-stage ventures.
Organizers say the event is structured to be concise and focused. It begins with a 20-minute presentation that lays out concrete steps for getting funded and introduces the primary types of financing used by startups and growing enterprises. That overview will be followed by case-style segments highlighting success stories from small businesses that have expanded after matching the right capital to their needs. A 30-minute question-and-answer session will give attendees an opportunity to raise specific scenarios, and time will be reserved for short one-on-one conversations for those seeking clarification or follow-up guidance.
The workshop is being co-sponsored by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Florence, Business Oregon, and RAIN Catalysts, a Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network organization that supports entrepreneurs throughout the region. Together, the partners aim to connect local founders and managers with vetted information, regional resources, and contacts who can help them navigate financing decisions. The emphasis on resilience reflects an ongoing interest among coastal businesses in building stability, improving cash flow management, and preparing for future shocks while still pursuing growth.
Attendance is free, and refreshments will be provided. The program is open to new founders exploring how to move from concept to launch, as well as established operators evaluating options to add equipment, hire staff, or enter new markets. While the material will be relevant across industries, the session is expected to be particularly useful to owner-operators who have not previously sought outside capital and want a clearer picture of what lenders and investors typically require. Participants are encouraged to bring questions about their own timelines, capital needs, and documentation so they can leave with concrete next steps.
Those interested in attending can RSVP or request more information by emailing jade@raincatalysts.org or brian@raincatalysts.org. Organizers recommend arriving a few minutes early to allow time for check-in and to make the most of the networking and follow-up opportunities built into the agenda. The Florence Events Center is hosting the two-hour session on Wednesday, September 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.