You are invited to the Southern States “Path to Prosperity” regional economic development series, hosted in Mississippi.  The Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Small Business Administration (SBA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have partnered to provide individuals, small businesses, including agriculture enterprises (farmers and ranchers), and communities, useful information, tools, resources, and an opportunity to engage in dynamic discussions intended to create economic progress.  The no-costseries features experts in the lending industry, Federal Government, community partners and stakeholders. 

This event will include panel discussions comprised of economic and lending experts, community partners and stakeholders, who will identify challenges, share best practices, and innovative solutions to accessing capital and contracting opportunities.  Presenters will discuss how financial institutions, non-profits, public and private sectors, and community-based organizations encourage the development of a “Path to Prosperity” by:

• Incentivizing unbanked and under-banked small business owners and individuals to establish a sustainable relationship with an insured financial institution,

• Expanding technical assistance and financial education for small business owners and individuals to improve their bankability, and

• Increasing the number of SBA certified lenders to provide access to capital for small, minority, and underserved businesses,

• Developing contracting relationships with Federal government and private industry partners.

This event will include lender matchmaking sessions for small business owners across Southern States, to include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.  It will help to expand bank referrals of small businesses for technical assistance from business development organizations.  Attendees include financial institutions, CDFIs, trade groups, local and federal government staff and nonprofit organizations who support the small business community.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, 2023, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum located at 1150 Lakeland Dr, Jackson, MS 39216.   All participants must register to attend either “In Person” or “Virtually”. To register, please click here on the “Zoom Link”.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing your unique link to join the meeting, “Virtually”.  Registration is limited. 

Please register today and share the invite!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at Jacqueline.davis-slay@usda.gov or 202-422-2551.

Thank you in advance for your participation.