Invest Newark, =Space partner for Small Business Week

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Invest Newark is joining together with =Space to present Newark Small Business Week 2022.

The five-day experience for entrepreneurs offers events, workshops and networking opportunities to help build and support local businesses. The series, which kicks off on May 2, is dedicated to bringing equitable resources to Newark, leading small businesses to success and continued growth.

“Our small businesses are the backbone of our community, and we remain committed to helping them recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Ras Baraka. “Newark Small Business Week is an opportunity for all Newarkers to show their support for our local entrepreneurs and the people they employ, because they are pivotal to keeping our economy thriving. I thank Invest Newark and Equal Space for making these necessary opportunities and resources available and look forward to kicking off the week at the Expo.”

The kickoff event, the Small Business Expo, will offer networking opportunities for small business owners to connect with each other, get guidance directly from city agencies, learn from business support experts, meet lenders and get tips to access capital, and network with fellow entrepreneurs.

Baraka will join Invest Newark, =Space, and community members to launch the festivities, which aim to provide existing and hopeful small business owners access to resources to encourage entrepreneurship in New Jersey’s largest city.

“I am thrilled that during Newark Small Business Week, we are offering a wide range of workshops, panel discussions, and networking events aimed at supporting our local entrepreneurs,” said Allison Ladd, Invest Newark board chairperson and Newark deputy mayor/director for economic and housing development. “As our community continues our strong recovery, I encourage neighbors to support the small and local businesses that play such a critical role in communities across Newark. If you haven’t done so already, please register and join us for what promises to be a week full of opportunities and resources designed to help our small businesses thrive.”

“Newark’s small businesses took a major hit during the pandemic, and many are still in the process of recovering,” said Roy Southerland, interim president and CEO of Invest Newark. “Along with Mayor Ras Baraka and the City of Newark, we have supported our entrepreneurs throughout the pandemic and this Small Business Week we are continuing our focus on ensuring they can thrive. With our valuable partner, =Space, we are thrilled to provide this innovative five-day experience to meet the needs of our entrepreneurs and the people they employ which will support Newark’s vibrancy for years to come.”

Organizers say Small Business Week 2022 is the ultimate experience for entrepreneurs of all types and stages.