The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), The Vicksburg-Warren Partnership and the City of Vicksburg came together this week to bring a Small Business Forum to the River City’s Ardis T. Williams Sr. Auditorium Wednesday.

This event was designed for potential and existing small business owners in Vicksburg and the surrounding areas to learn about SBA loan programs, receive business counseling and training, and access resources to help take their small businesses to the next level of growth, organizers said.  

 “The Vicksburg Small Business Forum was a tremendous success, in partnership with the Small Business Administration and the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce,” Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said. “This partnership is a display of our shared commitment to fostering a thriving business environment here in Vicksburg. It was a true honor to welcome business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators for this event.”

Among Wednesday’s speakers were SBA Mississippi District Director Janita R. Stewart.

“Our SBA Mississippi District, which serves the entire state, conducts outreach events throughout our footprint during each federal fiscal year,” Stewart said. “We were happy to be in Vicksburg, alongside our SBA-funded resource partners and some of our local participating lenders, working in collaboration with the mayor’s office and the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce to provide a robust informational session highlighting some of SBA’s programs for small businesses and entrepreneurs. We want those in attendance to take the next steps to follow-up and follow through with any of us for further information to help them move forward.”

Also in attendance was SBA Regional Administrator Allen Thomas.

“Our goal at SBA is to meet entrepreneurs where they are and provide the best tools and resources possible to help them succeed, and this is exactly what we were able to accomplish with the City of Vicksburg and the Vicksburg-Warren Partnership,” Thomas said. “We look forward to continuing our relationship to reach as many potential and existing small business owners as possible in Vicksburg to continue to grow generational wealth amongst our community.”

Flaggs said the forum was born of a joint understanding among city program leaders that small businesses are the backbone of the local economy.

“Small businesses are vital to our city’s economic health, and I am grateful for the support and leadership of SBA Regional Administrator Allen Thomas and SBA Mississippi Director Janita Stewart. Their commitment to empowering our local entrepreneurs is helping to drive growth and opportunity in Vicksburg.The SBA has been a crucial partner in helping our local businesses access resources, secure funding, and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.  Supporting small businesses is not just important, it is essential for the unique character and future growth of Vicksburg. By investing in our small businesses, we are investing in the future of our city, ensuring that Vicksburg continues to be a place where businesses can thrive.”