Pittsburgh, PA, and Toledo, OH (August 30, 2006). Middle market business owners and executives will get expert advice on growing their companies and remaining competitive in the United States and throughout the world during a day-long workshop to be held Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at the Toledo Club in downtown Toledo, OH. Middle market businesses typically have revenues from $25MM to $500MM and are closely held by five or fewer controlling shareholders.

The workshop is co-sponsored by Business Growth Alliance, LLC (BGA), the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, and Eastman & Smith Ltd. The subject of the workshop will be: Increasing Profit and Sustaining US-Based Middle Market Businesses By Accessing Fortune 500 Company Know-How & Development Support. The Toledo Workshop is the second in a series of similar workshops, which will be held over the next two years throughout the United States.

Manning J. O’Connor II, Executive Director of BGA said, “The event will feature speakers from a Fortune 500 Company, co-owners of an Ohio-based Firm, which successfully licensed a product line from a Fortune 500 company, and from organizations geared to help middle market companies succeed and compete.” Mr. O’Connor added, “BGA is pleased and honored to collaborate with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and Eastman & Smith Ltd. to present this middle market business owner/executive workshop. It is our hope that the information presented at this dynamic event will create growth opportunities for middle market businesses in the Toledo area.”

“Alternatives are vital to the future success of the region,” according to Mr. James H, Hartung, President, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “We know that alternative financing options provide a competitive edge to our area. The end result is more jobs.”

Mr. David C. Krock, Member, Eastman & Smith Ltd. noted that, “the law firm has long held that any information that can enhance global competition is beneficial. If the conference can also identify new growth opportunities in the Toledo area, it will be successful.”

ABOUT BGA
Business Growth Alliance, LLC (BGA) believes that locally owned, privately held, growing and profitable medium-sized businesses are materially important contributors to the betterment of regional economies and the social fabric within communities. BGA has carefully selected and organized a national affiliate network of seasoned, professional services firms, which are dedicated to providing growth advisory and investment banking services to middle market and family-owned companies and their principals. In addition to their core growth advisory and investment banking services, BGA Member Firms collaborate to address the strategic growth, capital formation, owner liquidity, and governance needs of such businesses and their owners. The eight Founding Affiliate Members of BGA include: de Visscher & Co., Source Companies, LLC, yet2.com, The Pursuit Group, Tenzing Consulting, Value Defined Middle Market, LLC, Asher Training, and US China Business Solutions, Inc.

ABOUT THE TOLEDO-LUCAS COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority has developed a national reputation for innovative business financing, assisting more than 250 economic development projects representing a total investment of more than $1.6 Billion while helping to create and retain more than 14,000 jobs. An important component of the mission of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority is to assure optimum business growth, technology development, investment, job retention and improvement in quality of life.

ABOUT EASTMAN & SMITH LTD
Eastman & Smith Ltd. is among the oldest firms in Ohio. With over 75 practicing attorneys, it has both the size and resources to provide high quality representation to its clients through effective application of talent and experience. Eastman & Smith Ltd. is proud of its strong historical foundation and reputation of providing a wide variety of legal services to businesses, including family-owned and middle market companies, individuals, and governmental units in the Toledo community.

To Contact BGA:
Manning J. O’Connor II
Executive Director
Business Growth Alliance, LLC
1606 Carmody Court
Blaymore 1, Suite 300
Sewickley, PA 15143
Telephone (724)-933-6650
Fax (724) 933-6099
email: moconnor@bgallc.net
www.bgallc.net