Starting a new business can be a challenge and sadly, many fail within the first year.

With this is mind, Lawrence County Treasurer Stephen Dale Burcham is planning a series of seminars to bring together people who want to start a business with experts in the fields of law, accounting and banking — three areas that can be make or break for new businesses.

“If they’ve lost a job and they’re thinking about starting a business, this is something to get them started,” Burcham said. “They may not know where to get it and they may not know what their options are.”

Burcham pointed out that while everyone would like to see Lawrence County land a large industry that employs hundreds of people, small businesses are also important and the reality is most Lawrence County businesses are small, employing 10 people or less.

In addition to the banking, accounting and legal information, Burcham said he will also ask a couple of local business operators to speak at the seminars and tell their experiences getting their business started, the difficulties they encountered and what worked for them as they built their enterprise.

The seminars will be free of charge but those interested must call the treasurer’s office to register.

Burcham wants to have a seminar in Ironton in March, a seminar in Proctorville in April and then schedule one or two more events later in the year.

To register, call the treasurer’s office at (740) 533-4305.