When a rural grocery store owner is ready to move on from the business, finding the right person to take over can often be a challenge. This puts grocery stores, which are often anchor businesses in rural communities, at risk of closing. The Rural Grocery Initiative out of Kansas State Research and Extension is hosting a webinar to discuss this common problem and provide guidance on succession planning.
In an announcement released on Jan. 12, organizers said the webinar “will provide an overview of the succession planning process, including key benchmarks and milestones along the journey.” Presenters include Regena Lance, a grocer who transitioned into a business and is already planning ahead for a future transition. Karl Klein with the Washburn University Kansas Small Business Development Center will also speak. Klein has spent twenty years owning small businesses in western Kansas, which includes the successful transition of two businesses.
The webinar will be Thursday, Jan. 20 at 1:30 p.m. Central time. More information and a registration form are available at https://www.ruralgrocery.org/events/Rural-Grocery-Succession-Planning.html.