Unveiling the Appalachian Highlands Women’s Business Center in Kingsport
New hope beams in Kingsport as the Kingsport Chamber announces the upcoming Appalachian Highlands Women’s Business Center (AppH-WBC). An initiative designed to support women-run businesses, the program was recently crowned with federal funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Women’s Business Ownership.
Aid for Women Entrepreneurs
The AppH-WBC is set to extend its services to ten counties in Northeast Tennessee, seven of which are tagged as distressed or at-risk. The center aims to provide business counseling and training, and connect women with Small Business Administration (SBA) resources. Moreover, it will also ensure women-owned businesses receive their fair contracting dollars share.
The program has been eighteen long years in the making for Aundrea Salyer, the Chief Business Development Officer for the Kingsport Office of Small Business. She expressed her optimism concerning the initiative, noting that over half of the businesses in the region are women-owned. Through this center, Salyer is confident in addressing the growing needs of women entrepreneurs.
Trends in Women-Owned Businesses
David Glasgow, Tennessee District Director for the U.S. SBA, highlighted that loans for women-owned businesses have surged by 70%, with total loan dollars reaching $5 billion last year. He praised the inception of the AppH-WBC, pointing out that it is the only Women’s Business Center in Tennessee at this time and will simultaneously encourage the growth of businesses and job creation in all sectors of the economy.
Forthcoming Developments
Among its objectives, the Kingsport Chamber plans to establish the AppH-WBC offices, hire a program director, set up an accounting system, and introduce a customer relationship management database. The center will be located in Kingsport as part of the Kingsport Chamber and within the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship.
A Community Effort
To cement its operations, the program plans to seek community assistance. They aim to involve the community through donations and support from partners. Through collective efforts, the center hopes to steer women entrepreneurs towards self-reliance and economic success.
The AppH-WBC and similar initiatives are critical for the continued development and empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Northeast Tennessee and beyond. It is a progressive step that reaffirms the community’s commitment towards gender inclusion and equality.
