Thursday, July 20, 2023
Mayor Brett P. Smiley, Providence City Councilor Pedro Espinal, US Small Business Administration (SBA) District Director Mark S. Hayward, Rhode Island Small Business Development Center State Director Diane Fournaris, and Economic Development Director Cassandra Thomas today formalized a partnership focused on supporting small businesses in the City of Providence. The partnership provides businesses with access to resources and training, including a slate of upcoming workshops led by small business experts.
“Investing in the success and growth of our local small businesses is a direct investment in the future of Providence,” said Mayor Smiley. “We are excited to partner with the SBA and RISBDC to provide our small businesses with the resources and support they need to thrive. This partnership will help Providence businesses grow and create jobs, which is essential to the economic vitality of our city.”
Today’s announcement is a step forward in Mayor Smiley’s commitment to making Providence competitive regionally and nationally. Smaller employers represent 92 percent of all employers in the state and employ over 25 percent of the workforce in Rhode Island. When surveyed earlier this year, 60 percent of participating Providence business owners identified wanting quality support in business growth and development. In the weeks and months to come, the City, SBA and RISBDC will offer Providence small business owners educational and technical assistance through the following workshops:
- Minority and Women Owned Enterprise Certification Overview: geared towards helping businesses understand the process and documents needed to complete the MWBE federal certification application.
- Minority and Women Owned Enterprise Certification Application Assistance: helping businesses receive dedicated assistance to the Federal certification application and bidding process for the City of Providence.
- Access to Financial Capital: help businesses discover and find connections to microloans and loans available to small businesses.
- Building the Fundamentals of Business: teach Providence entrepreneurs the fundamentals of starting or growing a business in Providence.
- Advance your Digital Marketplace: help local innovators develop and bolster online presence and website.
“I am excited to formalize an already strong partnership that we have with Mayor Smiley and his team to provide assistance to the city’s small business community,” said SBA District Director Mark S. Hayward. “As our state’s capital and largest city, Providence is home to a wonderfully diverse family of small businesses and this partnership will enable all of us to extend our reach into the community and assist even more businesses. Everyone signing this agreement brings with them a wealth of resources and expertise, and I look forward to seeing Providence’s small business community continue to grow and thrive as we bring this expertise to even more local entrepreneurs.”
After signing the letter that formalized this municipal-state-federal agency partnership, there was a tour of Walco, a local high-technology company that specializes in optimizing rotating electro-mechanical parts and machinery. The business is located on Allens Avenue and was recently named Rhode Island Exporter of the Year by the SBA.
“The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC) is delighted to be partnering with SBA and the City of Providence to bring valuable information on programs, services and resources to the city’s small business community,” said Diane Fournaris, State Director of the RISBDC. “We look forward to working with Mayor Smiley and his team and our colleagues at the SBA to strengthen the entrepreneurial sector of our vibrant capital city.”
More information on upcoming workshop dates and locations will be announced and promoted on the City’s social media pages.