San Antonio Chamber Of Commerce: Economic Development Council Hosts Small Business Panel

San Antonio TX

26 January, 2022

1:57 PM

Description

Press release from the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce - News: 2022-01-25 On Tuesday, January 18, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development Council kicked-off 2022 under the leadership of its new Chair Charlie Weil, Vice President Transwestern. Charlie's theme for the meeting was the state of small business in San Antonio, and he invited three well-known small business advocates for a panel discussion on the topic. Crystal Darby, from UTSA's Small Business Development Center was joined by Ryan Salts of LaunchSA and Leilah Powell from the Local Initiatives Support Coalition. After a brief introduction from both Crystal and Leilah, Charlie gathered the panel to get to the issues affecting local small businesses. The discussion covered a range of topics but returned to the effects of COVID on small businesses across San Antonio. The obvious impacts of COVID, the slowdown of sales and access to customers, were covered, but other issues were also included.  he problems with access to capital were highlighted, an issue the Chamber addressed early and throughout the pandemic. The benefits of COVID also surfaced during discussion, including the emergence of a cohort of new entrepreneurs amid what some experts call "the great resignation." Finally, the digital divide and access to broadband for small business across the City was a topic highlighted by all of the panelists.  It was a great event and informed many who can help bring more help to the small business community. This press release was produced by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce - News. The views expressed here are the author's own.