Florida Gulf Coast University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), in partnership with several Southwest Florida agencies, will host a free hurricane preparedness seminar this Saturday, July 23 at the Sunshine Ace Hardware, located at 9100 Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. The seminar kicks off at 10 a.m. with light refreshments provided by Perkins restaurant in Bonita Springs.

Panelists include representatives from the Lee County Emergency Operations Center, Small Business Administration, Bonita Springs Fire & Rescue, and City of Bonita Springs. Moderator for the discussion will be Dan Regelski, director for the FGCU Small Business Development Center. The discussion is from 10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. followed by a question and answer session.

The Southwest Florida Urban Search & Rescue team will be on hand, as well as tours on the Florida Small Business Mobile Assistance Center Bus – vehicle used during natural disasters to help small businesses get up and running.

“This is our third hurricane seminar held at Sunshine Ace Hardware,” said Regelski. Sunshine Ace has been a good partner for us by providing space as well as helping us to market the event to the small business community and residents in Bonita Springs – it truly shows their commitment to the community.”

In addition to the panel discussion, several Sunshine Ace vendors will display their company’s goods and will donate door prize giveaways. The American Red Cross will also provide resource information.

For more information, contact the SBDC main office at 239-745-3700 or register online at www.sbdc.seminars.org.