The City of Statesboro Business Commission will host a small business listening session on Monday, October 30, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Statesboro City Hall council chambers. The listening session will allow local small business owners to share their personal experiences on what it’s like to do business in Statesboro.
"Our first listening session was a tremendous success and gave us valuable feedback from the local small-business community,” says Tom McKeithen, chair-elect of the Statesboro Business Commission. “We are hoping for more of the same and encourage attendance from anyone who owns or is considering starting a small business in Statesboro. We want to hear your concerns and questions.”
The commission seeks to understand how barriers such as public policy and municipal operating procedures may impede local business growth and development. This listening session is the second of several the commission plans to hold for small business owners to voice opportunities and challenges. The feedback collected during these sessions will be used to provide recommendations to the Statesboro City Council on how best to support local businesses.
Formed in November 2022, the Statesboro Business Commission consists of nine local business owners appointed by the Mayor and City Council who serve staggered two-year terms. Statesboro City Councilmember Venus Mack, who represents the city’s third district and operates a small business within the city limits, initially proposed the idea of creating a business commission to members of the Statesboro City Council in early 2022.
“Most local business owners only interact with City Hall one to two times a year when renewing their business license or paying property taxes,” says Mack. “I want to encourage business owners to come out so that we can listen to their concerns. Creating an open and welcoming environment where business owners feel they have a voice is essential to future business growth in Statesboro.”
The event is free and open to the public. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to pre-register at SBCListeningSession2.eventbrite.com.
