The St. Croix, Virgin Islands “Path to Prosperity” regional business development series, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (FDIC), have joined efforts to provide individuals, small businesses and communities with useful information, tools, resources and an opportunity to engage in dynamic discussions intended to create economic progress.
The no-cost series features experts in the lending industry, federal government, community partners and stakeholders.
The series will include panel discussions comprised of economic and lending experts, community partners and stakeholders, who will identify challenges, and share best practices and innovative solutions to accessing capital. Presenters will discuss how financial institutions, non-profits 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.
The series will also include lender matchmaking sessions for small business owners across the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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 staff representing organizations.
The series is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23, at the Great Hall on Albert A. Sheen Campus, P692+7W2, Golden Grove, St Croix 00851, U.S. Virgin Islands.
To register for in-person or virtual attendance, use the following “Eventbrite Link.” After registering, the registrar will receive a confirmation email containing a unique link for joining the meeting. Registrations will be accepted until Wednesday, Sept. 21, or upon reaching capacity. Registration is limited, so please register today.
This event is the fourth in a national series geared toward communities across America and U.S. territories that have traditionally not been afforded access to the same level of resources and economic development enjoyed by larger metro areas. The “Path to Prosperity” series provides federal partners an opportunity to highlight their programs, such as the FDIC’s “Money Smart Financial Education Program,” SBA’s Capital, Contracting and Technical Assistance Programs, and USDA’s loan, grants and procurement opportunities.
If there are any questions, contact Jacqueline Davis-Slay at Jacqueline.DavisSlay@usda.gov or 202-422-2551.
