Contact: 
Elizabeth Fairchild
press@smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com
(202) 861-1270

Washington, D.C.

Today, the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA), a new public-private co-sponsorship between the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Business Forward, Inc., marked the six month anniversary of its launch  with the announcement of new programming, including a slate of upcoming events, to deepen investment in our nation’s growing small business economy.

“Since February, we’ve heard from small businesses and entrepreneurs how both access to digital tools and partnerships with local allies lead to long-term success,” said Liz Fairchild, Executive Director of Business Forward. “Today, we’re celebrating the SBDA’s local allies, which represent a growing cohort of regional and minority chambers, non-profits, incubators and accelerators, trade associations, business roundtable organizations, resource centers, community organizations, small business coaches, and more – all dedicated to their small business community’s success.”

Local allies contribute tools and trainings, share the SBDA’s digital tool library with their networks, promote events, collaborate with national members, and provide guidance on how best to serve their communities. Local allies include:

·      Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce (Anderson, SC)

·      Arena (Fairfax, VA)

·      Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA)

·      Caspio (Sunnyvale, CA)

·      The Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce, Inc. (Multiple locations)

·      For All Things Digital (Boston, MA)

·      GetSetUp (Midvale, UT)

·      Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce (Houston, TX)

·      GS1 (Ewing, NJ)

·      Miami Growth Machine (Miami, FL)

·      Moving Forward Small Business (Smithtown, NY)

·      The National Minority Business Council, Inc. (New York, NY)

·      NextFab (Philadelphia, PA, and Wilmington, DE)

·      Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce (Nogales, AZ)

·      Oakland African-American Chamber of Commerce (Oakland, CA)

·      State Business Executives (Springfield, VA)

·      TechTown Detroit (Detroit, MI)

·      Terminal B (Los Angeles, CA)

·      Unique Markets (Los Angeles, CA)

 

Resources from local allies available to small business owners through the SBDA library include:

·      Tools geared toward establishing a digital presence, reaching new markets, managing growth, finding and retaining talent, improving operations, expanding customer bases, e-commerce, and cybersecurity;

·      Live workshops, podcasts, and curricula tailored to business leaders’ needs;

·      Development and support in accelerating online and social media strategies; and

·      Trainings to assist in accessing and utilizing digital tools provided by local allies and national members.

What They’re Saying:

Olivia Ainza-Kramer, President, Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce: “Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more small businesses are taking their business ventures online, giving them a new foundation for extensive business growth. As an ally of the Small Business Digital Alliance, the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce is working towards providing minority, family-owned and operated businesses the opportunity to learn more on how they can utilize the power of digital resources.”

Adebukola Ajao, Digital Media Consultant, For All Things Digital: “If you’re in business, marketing is your business. That’s our motto here at For All Things Digital. We want to provide small business owners with the tools and resources they need to grow their business even if they can’t afford marketing teams. This collaboration will help us strengthen our collective resources and ensure it reaches the most disadvantaged communities.” 

Andrea Cid, CEO & Founder, Miami Growth Machine: “Digital tools help small businesses like mine scale up faster and connect with clients more efficiently.  They level the playing field a little more for startups who may not have the resources and distribution networks of larger established companies. Miami Growth Machine is thrilled to join the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA) as a local ally and share the SBDA’s platform with our South Florida network of entrepreneurs.”

Jimmy Newson, Founder, Moving Forward Small Business: “When we support small businesses and their owners, we support local communities, diversity, and the local economy.  It becomes a win-win-win for everyone involved.”

Ned Staebler, President & CEO, TechTown: “Every business needs digital tools to reach existing customers, open new markets, develop new products, and connect with investors and strategic partners. Bridging the digital divide is a crucial part of TechTown’s work to promote equitable growth, break cycles of intergenerational poverty, and generate community wealth in Detroit. We’re excited to work with the Small Business Digital Alliance to remove barriers faced by small businesses in Detroit.”

Jeff Wasden, President & CEO, State Business Executives: “State Business Executives is proud to support the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA) with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and our partners at Business Forward, Inc. Millions of small business owners, in challenging, complex, and diverse industry sectors, need more than ever the digital tools, platforms, and solutions to not only grow their business but to innovate and compete. SBDA will help provide resources, education, access, and critical training for small business owners and entrepreneurs to thrive in the digital economy. Technology is the driving force that powers innovation, creates access to new markets and customers, helps develop new products, and scales in the e-commerce industry.”

Upcoming Small Business Digital Alliance Events

The SBDA will be hosting its third national, virtual webinar on Powering the American Dream: Three key elements for small business financial success on Tuesday, September 27th, at 2 p.m. ET. Register at http://www.smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com/live.

To learn more about the SBDA and the digital tools library, visit www.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.

 

This website is provided as a public service under co-sponsorship Authorization # 22-5-C. It is not an official U.S. government website, and it may contain links to non-U.S. government information. The inclusion of such links does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the SBA. The SBA is not responsible for the content, accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of linked information.

 

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ABOUT SBDA

The Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA) is a joint co-sponsorship agreement between the SBA and Business Forward, Inc. that brings together major players, influencers, and companies in the tech, e-commerce, benefits, and other industries to help small businesses connect with digital tools and reach new customers through expanded opportunities through trainings, tools, and expansion of their digital networks – free of charge. To learn more, visit www.smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com.

 

ABOUT BUSINESS FORWARD

Business Forward, Inc. is a non-profit organization working with 250,000 local business leaders from across America who support innovative and market-based solutions to our country’s biggest challenges. With the help of Business Forward, business leaders have briefed more than 650 mayors, governors, members of Congress, and senior Administration officials on how to create jobs and accelerate our economy. Learn more at www.businessforward.org.

 

ABOUT THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.