2026 Building Credit, Contracts, and Customers Where You Are
This panel will explore how building business credit, winning contracts, and growing a local customer base work together to help businesses scale sustainably. Panelists will share practical strategies, common pitfalls, and proven pathways for turning local relationships into long-term business growth. Attendees will leave with trusted local resources, and a better understanding of how credit, contracts, and customers work together to unlock opportunity.
KEY DISCUSSION TOPICS
- Establishing business credit (separate from personal credit)
- Preparing to qualify for loans, lines of credit, and CDFI funding
- Winning local contracts (Department of War, Huntsville Utilities)
- Turning first customers into repeat customers and referrals
PANELISTS
Mark Jacobson
Senior Advisor
APEX Accelerator
Michelle Kloske
Regional Director/Senior Advisor - North Alabama Region
SBDC and APEX Accelerator
John-Michael Marlin
Loan Fund Director
Neighborhood Concepts
Melanie McClure
Procurement Manager
Huntsville Utilities
Date and Time
Friday Feb 27, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM CST
Fees/Admission
Free to attend; registration required.
Contact Information
Diana Baccus
256-535-2009
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