The U.S. Small Business Administration has partnered with the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and the Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub to bring the first ever SBA Town Hall to Pembroke on Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

Open to anyone interested in starting or expanding their own business, the event will feature panels, guest speakers and small business resource partners who will showcase their programs and services to help guests start, run and grow their small businesses. 

“Even if you’re just kicking the tires of entrepreneurship, this would be a wonderful event for you to attend because you can hear from our expert panelists and other small business owners; what it takes to get started in business, and more importantly what resources are out there available for you, many of which are free of charge,” said District Director for SBA North Carolina Michael Arriola. 

Featured speakers include guests from the Small Business Administration including SBA Southeast Regional Manager Allen Thomas, and SBA assistant Administrator for the Office of Native American Affairs Jackson Brossy.

Other SBA resource partners will be present including the Small Business and Technology Development Center, SCORE, the Fayetteville Women’s Business Center, Fayetteville State University’s Veterans Business Outreach Center, and the Robeson Community College Small Business Center  

Arriola said working with the Tribe and bringing the event to Pembroke was a choice reflecting the SBA’s mission to reach underserved segments of communities. 

“By providing folks with the resources they need to start, develop and succeed in business, we’re giving them the opportunity not just to realize their own entrepreneurial dreams, but to be able to create businesses that will create livelihoods for themselves, as well as for their employees. That also means that increased revenue for local governments to do the things that they need for thriving communities to continue to thrive,” said Arriola.  

The event is being hosted  by Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub located at 202 Mainstreet, Pembroke, NC. 

The Town Hall is free and open to the public but registration is required. 

You can register online here: /www.eventbrite.com/e/sba-town-hall-for-the-lumbee-community-tickets-412825370797