For more than 50 years, the Small Business Administration has celebrated National Small Business Week and does so again this week from September 20-26. The mission of the week is to recognize, celebrate, and support U.S. entrepreneurs and small business owners. It’s a great time to support local businesses or to tune up your own small business by taking advantage of some of the education and resources available this week including the National Small Business Week virtual conference on September 22-24, 2020.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been front and center during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the program authorized by legislation to fund forgivable loans up to $10 million per borrower for qualifying businesses. As part of Small Business Week, the SBA will be recognizing small businesses who have navigated the coronavirus pandemic while supporting their employees and communities.
Created in 1953 by President Dwight Eisenhower as part of the Small Business Act the function of the SBA is to “aid, counsel, assist and protect, insofar as is possible, the interests of small business concerns.” The SBA has received both threats and support over the years from both sides of the aisle, having its budget cut at one point, facing elimination in 1996, surviving program suspension in 2004, and receiving renewed support beginning in 2009 to date. It remains the only federal agency fully dedicated to small businesses.
While the Small Business Administration is well known for their lending programs such as the Loan Guarantee Program, Disaster Loan Program, and the MicroLoan Program, they also offer numerous entrepreneurial development programs focused on providing tools, counseling, education, and guidance for small businesses and their owners.
SBA Resources include:
SCORE – Serving as a source for free business mentoring and education. Has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops, and educational resources since 1964.
Women’s Business Centers - Through the management and technical assistance provided by the WBCs, entrepreneurs, especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged, are offered comprehensive training and counseling to help them start and grow their own businesses.
Specific SBA resources in Charlotte, North Carolina are:
North Carolina District Office (Includes Small Business Development Center, SCORE, Women’s Business Center, and Veteran Business Outreach Center)
DYE CULIK PC is a Charlotte, North Carolina small business and franchise law firm. Our attorneys have represented small businesses for more than a decade. Give us a call at 980-999-3557 if you need help or legal advice for your small business. Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates on CLT small businesses.
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