August 13, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
dpapadakos@wpb.org
(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

Mayor Keith A. James & SBA Host Small Business Town Hall in West Palm Beach
for Local Entrepreneurs in Celebration of National Black Business Month 
Insightful discussions, Q&A sessions with experts, free lunch, and more. 

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — Join Mayor Keith A. James on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Palm Beach Atlantic University's Weyenberg Center for the 2024 Small Business Town Hall in celebration of National Black Business Month. This event is designed for small business owners in West Palm Beach to learn about upcoming contracting opportunities and resources to help take their companies to the next level of growth.

Featured Guests: Mayor Keith James, City of West Palm Beach & Allen Thomas, SBA Southeast Regional Administrator

Topics:

• Access to capital for small businesses — hear from the lenders themselves! SBA Small Business Perspective: Growth Opportunities through SBA’s 8(a) Program and other certifications.
• The current state of small business in West Palm Beach.

Event Highlights:

• Interactive fireside chat.
• Q&A session focusing on current challenges, legislative updates, and emerging business trends.

This event is essential for small business owners and entrepreneurs, offering practical knowledge to navigate complexities, seize opportunities, stay informed on regulatory changes, and create strategic partnerships that promote business growth and resilience.

“This event is a testament to our commitment to supporting and empowering our small business community in West Palm Beach. By encouraging collaboration and providing vital resources, we ensure our local entrepreneurs have the tools to thrive in today's competitive landscape,” said Mayor Keith James.

“Small businesses are the engines of the nation’s economy, and that engine is running strong,” said SBA Southeast Regional Administrator Allen Thomas. “The small business ecosystem is experiencing a sustained startup boom across the country with the first, second, and third strongest years of new business application rates on record starting in 2021. Leveraging our relationships with local governments, like the City of West Palm Beach, not only gives us a terrific opportunity to educate the public about the impactful products and services provided by the SBA, but it also gives us another venue for listening to the wants, needs, and concerns of America’s entrepreneurs.”

Registration:

• FREE of charge
• Deadline to register: August 19, 2024 (space is limited)

For more information or to register, visit blackbusinessloop.com or contact Mary Rhaburn at mary@mosaicgroup.co.

Members of the media are invited to attend this event. To RSVP and to coordinate media interviews, please contact Mary Rhaburn at mary@mosaicgroup.co or (561) 229-9035.

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About The City of West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the region with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and/or LinkedIn.

About The Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), established in 1953, is dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs and small company owners in realizing their American dreams. As the nation's go-to resource and advocate for small businesses, the SBA is the only cabinet-level government agency entirely devoted to small business. It offers funding, contracting expertise, and guidance. The Small Business Administration works to ignite change and spark action so small businesses can confidently start, grow, expand, or recover. Learn more at www.sba.gov.