Assemblyman Steve Otis (D-Rye) and the Women’s Enterprise Development Center Inc. (WEDC) are pleased to announce that they will host a Small Business & Economic Development Forum on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck.

The forum will focus on “Why Local Makes $ense” and will feature keynote speaker, Ajax Greene, co-founder and executive director of ReThinkLocal, who will share his considerable experience on how small businesses can work together to promote the idea of buying local. Greene has been actively involved in development and organization of several small businesses in the Hudson Valley area, implementing marketing programs that have raised profits and revenues.

“We all want strong local business areas, and this meeting is aimed at helping merchants achieve that goal,” observed Assemblyman Otis. “That’s why I’m delighted that Ajax Greene will be here to share strategies that encourage residents to buy local and support small businesses. He is passionate about the benefits that local businesses can bring to their communities,” said Otis, “and we are delighted to have him speak at the forum.”

“As a provider of small business development programs and services, we are delighted to cosponsor this forum with Assemblyman Otis. We look forward to hearing Ajax Greene discuss how strengthening local businesses can create more sustainable and prosperous local economies,” noted Anne M. Janiak, WEDC’s Executive Director.

The forum will also feature representatives of various government agencies and private organizations who will provide an overview of the services their organizations offer to local businesses, as well as one-on-one assistance and informational materials.

There is still time to register for the October 16th forum. Interested parties should contact Debra Lagapa in Assemblyman Otis’ district office, lagapad@assembly.state.ny.us or (914) 939-7028, or Maria Guardado of WEDC, mguardado@westchester.org, (914) 948-6098, x15.