U.S. Commerce Department and Small Business Administration Launch Business Sunday Program to Promote Economic Growth and Job Creation

This Sunday, October 19, 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration (SBA) are launching Business Sunday, a program focused on promoting local economic growth and job creation by connecting religious congregations and communities with the valuable business development resources offered by the federal government.

Business Sunday events, which will take place in cities and towns around the country, are primarily aimed at individuals looking to start or grow their business. Organized in partnership with local religious congregations and civic associations, these events include presentations from local experts from the Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), SBA, and the Department of Health and Human Services on how to access important technical assistance, business counseling, loans and other practical resources. Following the event, attendees will have the opportunity to network and speak individually with the government staff. 

“I know firsthand the important role federal resources can play when starting or growing a company,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker in a video released in conjunction with the launch of Business Sunday. “Business Sunday brings the best resources of the federal government to local communities to help enterprises and entrepreneurs grow and thrive. This initiative reflects President Obama’s commitment to create jobs, economic mobility and ladders of opportunity for all. With faith-based organizations, nonprofits, local leaders and all of us in the administration coming together, I am confident that Business Sunday will make businesses, communities and our economies stronger.”

Business Sunday’s launch event will be held at Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, led by Senior Pastor Kirbyjon H. Caldwell. In the months to come, additional Business Sunday events will be held in Philadelphia, PA; Mobile, AL; Washington, DC; Indianapolis, IN; El Paso, TX; Miami, FL; Denver, Co; Phoenix, AZ and Seattle, Washington. Details on those and additional events around the country will be released once available.

The Business Sunday program was piloted in March 2014 at the 19^th Street Baptist Church in Washington, DC, led by Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins. Close to 300 business owners, entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders came together for the initial event, showcasing the strong interest in the program and leading to its expansion.

Business Sunday is a reflection of the Obama Administration's efforts to strengthen our economy by empowering our people – our business owners, entrepreneurs, community development organizations, faith-based groups and others – to effect positive change at the local level.

To find more information about upcoming events and webinars, as well as how to host your own Business Sunday, visit http://business.usa.gov/business-sunday.