Honolulu (April 2, 2020)—In this time of economic uncertainty, there’s a plan to provide much needed information to small businesses and nonprofits in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands coping with the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The upcoming Small Business Virtual Town Hall Meeting, to take place Monday April 6th at 1pm HST, will provide current information and resources to businesses and nonprofits in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands on the changing business and economic landscape due to COVID-19.
On Monday, April 6 at 1:00 PM HST (Tuesday, April 7 at 9:00 AM ChST for our Pacific Island friends and colleagues), a dozen agencies and individuals will participate in the first Small Business Virtual Town Hall. Small businesses and nonprofits can join the virtual meeting, free of charge, via Zoom. Participants will learn from agencies; obtain information about programs available to support affected business (including information about initiatives that have been postponed or cancelled); and, most importantly, where to go for more information. Participants will learn about the SBA Disaster Loan Programs, including instructions for how to apply for assistance. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will share important financial resources available for small businesses and nonprofits contained in the new CARES ACT. Dr. Eugene Tian, Hawaii Chief Economist, will speak on the overall economic impact of COVID-19.
“It’s really important to connect with our small business owners now more than ever,” says Lesley Harvey, owner of The Hawaii Business Consultancy and President of the Hawaii Economic Association. “People can feel lost right now, and we want to help them by providing them information fast.”
This event has been organized by The Hawaii Business Consultancy (thehawaiibusinessconsultancy.com). Participating agencies include: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism (DBEDT), Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), Hawaii Economic Association (HEA), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network (PISBDCN), U.S. Commercial Service (USCS), Hawaii Pacific Export Council (HPEC), the Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO), and the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). Technical support has been generously contributed by Kanaeokana.
Space is limited. To find out more and sign up for this free Small Business Virtual Town Hall, visit smallbizvirtualtownhall.eventbrite.com.
