Today, the
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and
Business Forward, Inc., a non-profit organization working with small business leaders in support of policies promoting America’s economic competitiveness, announced the launch of
the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA). A joint public-private co-sponsorship, the SBDA will connect small businesses with critical tech resources to start and expand their e-commerce business to scale for success. The new initiative will also feature
a series of free briefings and training to help small businesses access and utilize these digital tools to reach new markets, find diverse talent, improve operations, and raise capital.
Beyond access to technical skills development and tools, the SBDA will play a significant role in helping entrepreneurs expand their networks — a key component for small businesses as they seek new customers and stronger relationships with vendors, lenders,
and other stakeholders needed for success. Specifically, through the SBDA, the SBA and Business Forward will convene some of America’s most respected leaders in business, government, economic development, and other aligned spaces to facilitate cooperation
and help small business owners fully harness the power of technology to fuel growth.
“The world’s economy has grown increasingly digital, particularly over the course of the pandemic, and small businesses have pivoted and adapted by adopting technology at incredibly high rates. Through our new Small Business Digital Alliance and agreement with
Business Forward, the SBA will help more small businesses accelerate their online and social media strategies to power their businesses in e-commerce and better engage with their customers where they are,”
said Administrator Guzman. “And as access to highspeed internet increases, thanks to President Biden’s
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $65 billion in broadband infrastructure investments, the SBA will be working to ensure that entrepreneurs in every community in America are ready to take advantage of new opportunities to innovate and leverage technology
to start, operate, grow, and be resilient.”
Small businesses depend on a comprehensive suite of tools to expand their customer base, manage their growth, find and retain talent, and enter new markets, including globally, but often encounter obstacles. Aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s focus
on equity and leveling the playing field, the collaboration with Business Forward through the SBDA will prioritize creating access to competitive opportunities and lowering barriers to entry for small businesses, especially those from historically underserved
and disadvantaged communities across the country.
“In today’s economy, small businesses are moving online to attract customers, open new markets, develop new products, and obtain capital – and there is a range of new digital tools and services that can help, particularly when small businesses partner with
their community,” said Jim Doyle, President of Business Forward. “By leveraging their community’s local tech incubator, VC firm, university lab, training program, and free digital tools from global businesses – small businesses are more likely
to succeed. Collaboration is critical, and the SBDA will help small businesses and their communities work together to achieve and maintain critical mass for success.”
The SBA and Business Forward, along with Members of the SBDA, will also host a series of joint virtual and in-person events across the nation to include policy briefings on small business trends and showcase the digital tools small businesses can take advantage
of — free of charge. A list of Members of the Small Business Digital Alliance will be released in the coming weeks. We encourage any and all companies interested in supporting small businesses with trainings, insights, and free digital tools to contact us
to become part of SBDA at
info@smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com.
Co-sponsorship Authorization No: 22-5-C: The SBA’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the
public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
About the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA)
The Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA) is a joint co-sponsorship agreement between the SBA and Business Forward that brings together major players, influencers, and companies in the e-commerce technology space to help small businesses connect with
resources and reach new customers through expanded e-commerce opportunities through trainings, tools, and expansion of their digital networks – free of charge. To learn more, visit
www.smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com.
One Year Later: Biden-Harris Administration, SBA Have Prioritized an Equitable Recovery, Centered on Strengthening Main Street and Supply Chains
Led by Administrator Guzman, the SBA Punched Above Its Weight, Bolstering the Small Business Economy Amid Unprecedented Challenges
In the past year under the Biden-Harris Administration, the
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continued scaling up to meet extraordinary challenges and deliver remarkable results for small businesses across America. Despite the odds, President Biden’s leadership has added 6.4 million jobs – the most in any
year in U.S. history – and managed the fastest growing economy in decades while cutting unemployment to near historic lows.
Under
Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the SBA has undertaken a monumental task – saving the small business economy and preserving the jobs and livelihoods of millions. From Main Street to Broadway, manufacturers to Mom-and-Pops, thousands of civil servants
played a critical role in getting small businesses (who employ half of the private workforce, create two-thirds of net new jobs, and generate 40 percent of America’s economic productivity) back on their feet, and the work continues. A look back at the SBA’s
accomplishments and efforts
showcases the tremendous good the federal government can do on behalf of the American people.
See
Entire Press Release Here
Administrator Guzman kicked off her New Hampshire visit at the Derry Opera House with Senator Hassan and Congressman Pappas. Later, they visited The Grind Rail Trail Café and met café owner Melanie Davis. Davis was able to survive the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic with support through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Administrator Guzman and Congressman Pappas traveled to Manchester and met Peter Ramsey, President and CEO of the Palace Theatre, Joyce
Craig, Mayor of Manchester, NH, and Mike Skelton, President, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. They also participated in a small business forum in the Palace Theatre where they discussed local business successes and continued challenges, as well as SBA
resources. They ended their trip there with a tour of the Palace Theatre.
Read more here and for photos of the trip
Jan. 27th 2-3:30
Virtual Workshop on Business Trends 2022
and National Mentoring Month
Presented by SCORE Small Business Mentor Heather Turner
Join the SBA and SCORE as we review upcoming business trends for 2022. Learn how to stay up-to-date on small business marketing efforts with online marketing, internet security and privacy, automated marketing initiatives, and learn what’s new in the marketing
trend forecast for 2022.
If you are a small business owner ready to discover the best marketing efforts to put your business on the right track for the coming year, this FREE workshop includes promising opportunities for you to grow your small business.
Register
today!!
January is National Mentoring Month. Join us as we celebrate with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteers and expert business mentors. Since 1964, SCORE has helped 11 million entrepreneurs start or grow a business. SCORE’s volunteers provide free
mentoring, workshops and educational services to communities nationwide.
SAVE The DATE
Feb 15 ~ 2:00-3:30pm
Join the NH SBA office as we celebrate Black History Month. This year we will pay tribute and honor the men and women who have made impacts in our local communities.
Boots to Business
Feb. 23-24 ~ 8:30 am – 4 pm
Participants are introduced to the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to launch a business, including steps for developing business concepts, how to develop a business plan, and information on SBA resources available to help. This two-day in-person
program is facilitated by subject matter experts from the SBA and their extensive network of skilled business advisors. Boots to Business is delivered in partnership with SBA’s Resource Partners, SCORE Mentors, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business
Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers and is available free of charge.
For service members and their dependents transitioning or retiring from the U.S. military.
Register
here
For more information, contact Miguel Moralez at 603-225-1601 or via
email.
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