OKC small business resiliency made stronger with input

Small businesses are a key contributor to successful economic development. In Oklahoma, more than 50% of the private workforce is employed by small businesses and approximately 2 out of 3 people in the Oklahoma City metro are employed by an establishment or business with fewer than 100 employees. Oklahoma City leaders are seeking input from small businesses and entrepreneurs to help identify support, resources or incentives needed by business owners to start, grow or stabilize their business.

Small business owners and those who wish to start a business in Oklahoma City are asked to take a resiliency survey to share how COVID-19 impacted their business and what resources business owners need. The survey will be open until June 30. Business owners are also encouraged to attend a virtual town hall meeting Wednesday, June 30, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Employers with 500 or fewer employees are encouraged to participate and the organizers are working to reach minority and women-owned businesses.

The results of the survey and town hall will be used in a Community Economic Resilience Plan, a strategic partnership between the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, the Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City, Progress OKC and the city of Oklahoma City. The plan will identify priorities for improving economic resiliency and looking at new resources to help small businesses, especially minority and women-owned businesses. The goals of the Community Economic Resilience Plan are to support an equitable and inclusive economic ecosystem and build capacity for diversity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The town hall will include an introduction to the city of Oklahoma City’s Resiliency Plan and will feature an interactive discussion on what the small business community needs and how to best achieve progress toward a resilient and inclusive economy. The meeting will include guest speakers Cathy O’Connor of The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City, Maurianna Adams of Progress OKC, and Tony DeLisi of Ernest and Young. To register or learn more about the town hall, visit https://schnake.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsde6hpjIuHdeeLvjOjBOoZ_eMFodgyTn8.

To complete the survey, visit the English site www.surveymonkey.com/r/VGY9VQB or the Spanish site www.surveymonkey.com/r/YBR2S9Q.

Our city is continually ranked as one of the best places to have a small business. These input opportunities are an important way we continue to help small businesses survive and thrive.