OTHELLO — The Central Washington Business Conference is set for Oct. 9 at the Othello High School’s library, at 340 S. Seventh Ave., Othello.

Registration and admission to the event is free. The conference lasts from 9 a.m. until 4:15 p.m.

“We’re excited we have the opportunity to host this one,” said Cara Broeckel, executive director of the Adams County Development Council (ACDC).

The keynote speaker is Mark Costello, the lead lender relations specialist for the Seattle district’s Small Business Administration.

“We wanted a keynote who could talk about the current lending environment, as well as those resources Washington businesses can tap into,” Broeckel commented.

Sessions are as follows:

• The first presentation, at 9 a.m., is an update on employment law, provided by Veronica Gottschalk, an industrial relations agent, and Kelli Kane, a protective lead agent, both of the state Department of Labor and Industries.

• The second session, at 10:30 a.m., is titled “Taxes and Your Small Business.” Kim Lutz, of the state Department of Revenue, speaks.

• Noon: keynote speaker Costello

• At 1:30 p.m., Michaelle Boetger, of Michaelle Boetger Graphic Designs, and Curt Oberloh Jr., of Anykey Enterprises, speak about “Utilizing the Internet and Promoting Your Small Business.”

• At 3 p.m., a session on “Alternative Lending Sources” begins.

Speakers are Teresa Lemmons, executive director of the state Microenterprise Association, Michael Buchanan, executive director of the Big Bend Economic Development Council and Tony Garcia, Washington State University’s Horizons Program community coach.

“We’re pretty excited about it,” Broeckel said. “I think we have some pretty good speakers.

“Our (the ACDC’s) main job is keeping the businesses we have and growing the businesses we have,” she noted. “We’re hoping to have the information to help them thrive in this environment.”

For more information, contact Broeckel at 800-694-4617.