Two upcoming events to assist local business owners will be held during the month of May. A retail academy has been set for May 1st at the UA Cossatot Lockesburg campus. The purpose of this meeting is to look at the research that has been done regarding business impact on the local economy. The other meeting is a business rentention and expansion meeting set for May 20th in Nashville at the Howard County EHC Educational Center. This meeting will look at local businesses and discuss ways to keep them open and/or improve. For more information or to register, contact Jean Ince (County Extension Agent Staff Chair) at the Howard County Extension Service office at 870-845-7517.