Community Briefs

SBA region chief to visit Pine Bluff

Edward “Ted” James, the Region VI administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, will visit Arkansas, including Pine Bluff, next week. James will be joined by Edward Haddock, SBA Arkansas’ district director, according to a news release.

At Pine Bluff, James will present opening remarks and a welcome during the SBA Arkansas On the Trail to You event from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Pine Bluff Library, 600 S. Main St. The event is free but requires registration.

During his Arkansas visit, James will meet with Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Conway area small business owners and entrepreneurial support organizations.

James was appointed in December by President Joe Biden to serve as the SBA’s administrator for Region VI, the nation’s south-central region. His job is to oversee administration of SBA services across 10 offices, six located in Texas and others in Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

“Please plan to join the SBA Arkansas District Office staff as we travel to the Delta region. If you are located in the following counties you are invited: Jefferson, Arkansas, Monroe, and Phillips,” according to the release.

This event will include:

• An overview of SBA programs including counseling, federal contracting and access to capital, SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program, exporting assistance and leadership program;

• Introduction to SBA Resource Partners and assistance and programs including small business consulting, technical assistance, contracting;

• Presentations from local small businesses that have benefited from SBA and resource partner assistance or programs.

There will be opportunities for questions and answers as well as open networking and one-on-one conversations, according to the release.

Registration for the free event is available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sba-arkansas-on-the-trail-to-you-july-14th-1000-am-central-time-tickets-332237670817?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

Details: Arkansas_DO@sba.gov.

Neighborhood Watch groups to meet

The Pine Bluff Police Department announced the Neighborhood Watch meetings have resumed and residents are urged to attend.

Neighborhood Watch Groups meeting in July include:

Central Park and Taylor Association meets Thursday at 6 p.m. at Family Church, 2309 S. Poplar St.

Faucett Road, along with Jefferson Heights and Calvary Association, will meet July 19 at 6 p.m. at Destiny Worship Center, 4700 W. 28th Ave.

Sheraton Park meets July 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 4101 Hazel St.

East Harding and Belmont/Broadmoor meets July 25 at 6 p.m. at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church, 812 E. Harding Ave.

University Park meets July 28 at 6 p.m. at Family Community Development Center, 1001 N. Palm St.

Details: Alicia Dorn at adorn@pbpd.org or Chief Lloyd Franklin Sr. at lfranklin@pbpd.org.