Federal agencies provide advice to small businesses

The path to prosperity...

ALBANY, Ga. – Small business owners across the state descended on Albany State University Tuesday to get help from multiple government agencies on what they call the “path to prosperity.”

The discussion brought together the Small Business Administration, the FDIC, and the USDA to give guidance to small business owners.

With Georgia Congressman, Sanford Bishop leading the charge as part of Small Business Week.

“The emphasis is on empowering our small businesses. Allowing people who have good ideas to go into businesses and connect them with the resources that are available through the federal government to make it happen,” said Congressman Sanford Bishop, 2nd Congressional District, Georgia.

Throughout the day Tuesday, many small business owners, whether they’re local farmers, or nonprofit owners came from as far as South Carolina, they got their questions fielded by those with these agencies…

With many still rebounding from the effects of the pandemic.

“There’s really two economies that we’re looking at: the pre-pandemic economy, and the post-pandemic shift. There are so many new businesses. We’re seeing a rush across the entire country. There’s a rise in small businesses here in South Georgia,” said Allen Thomas, Southeastern Administrator, Small Business Administration.

And…as many continue to move on from damages brought on by COVID, they hope that the resources available to them will be invaluable.

“…Our farm actually started right before the pandemic in November of 2019. That was right before everything shut down. We were in a situation of riding the rollercoasters of having the restaurants close, having the farmer’s market close, and trying to figure my way out…” said Elizabeth Moon, Owner, Green Box Mushrooms.

“We just wanted to learn about what they’re offering to community and if we could have access to it, or get some of the resources…It’s really important, the work we do is really important…” said Neda Stone, Family Wellness Outreach Center of Georgia.

“It exposes them to each other. A lot of small business know not of what the other is doing across town, and may be able to facilitate a system or something, because two is better than one. And, then likewise, you have a lot of individuals with experience,” said Gary Washington, Owner, Carolina Procurement Institute.

As these small business owners continue in a post pandemic setting, they believe that their businesses will thrive with a hand guiding them along.

According to the Small Business Administration, there have been more than 275 thousand businesses created since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Brian Roche reporting.

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