A few weeks ago, I shared stories about how The Study, Swiss Cleaners and ReMerge responded to COVID-19 with creativity and used funding and technical assistance from the Small Business Continuity Program to help meet some of the challenges brought on by the pandemic. There are hundreds of similar success stories – small businesses and nonprofits that have changed, dramatically or ever so slightly, to better communicate, reach out, encourage sales and preserve their business.

Oklahoma businesses still need our help and JPMorgan Chase has made an investment to help small businesses in our state. Progress OKC and the Tulsa Economic Development Corp. are using that support to launch programs to help business owners and entrepreneurs, especially those in underserved communities, as they fight to recover from the COVID-19 economic downturn. The program in Oklahoma City, called the Building Business Back Better program, features one-on-one development s

A new program has been launched to help those interested in creating more development knowledge, business resources, private investments and jobs in northeast Oklahoma City. PlaceKeepers is now accepting applications from aspiring developers and business owners looking to gain training and mentorship to launch real estate projects and businesses. The program is open to Black residents, business owners and stakeholders in northeast Oklahoma City. The real estate and small busi

COVID-19 required small businesses and nonprofits to quickly change how they provide goods and services. In-person shopping, eating, events and other connections have been replaced, at least in part, by virtual contact. Some businesses and nonprofits have shown true resilience. The Study, a 64-tap wine bar with beer, spirits and games that opened in Film Row just as the pandemic hit, purchased air purifiers for each room, added screens to divide the open bar and laminated men