The Paducah Chamber is hosting a webinar to introduce the new Business Coach for the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Aaron Harned, on Wednesday, March 10 at 9 a.m.  For small businesses needing assistance or anyone interested in starting a business, this webinar could answer many questions.  Harned will be joined on the webinar by Chris Wooldridge, Director of the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development (CEED) at Murray State University. The virtual event is open to the public and will give both existing and start-up businesses information about resources available and training offered. 

Register to attend the event via Zoom at paducahchamber.org.  The virtual event will also be livestreamed on WPSD Local 6’s Facebook page. 

Harned, a Paducah native, joined the Kentucky SBDC team in November 2020. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Western Kentucky University.  Harned grew up working in a family-owned business and worked there for 19 years, including the past 10 as the manager. He serves as a Business Coach for 10 counties in Western Kentucky. 

The Kentucky SBDC has been assisting the Commonwealth’s small-business community since 1981. Through its statewide growing network of centers, and an experienced and knowledgeable staff, the Kentucky SBDC provides business coaching and training services that help existing business owners and potential entrepreneurs succeed. Services include one-on-one business coaching, training workshops, market research, loan packaging help, assistance with financial projections and information needed to make informed business decisions. 

Wooldridge serves as the Director of the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development (CEED) at Murray State. The Center is an outreach program for the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business and seeks to improve the economic vitality of the 24 westernmost counties of the Commonwealth through consulting, training and to both pre-venture and existing business and industry. 

Wooldridge is also an instructor in the MSU Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business in the areas of finance, banking and economic development. Previously, he served as the District Director of the Murray State Small Business Development Center providing business consulting and training. Wooldridge is a former entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the banking and financial services community.