The Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce (GABCC) is holding its 5th Annual Black Business Summit on the campus of Augusta Technical College. It is this Thursday, and it coincides with August being National Black Business Month, as well as Black Philanthropic Month in Augusta.
Ronic West, President and co-founder of GABCC, told ABD the focus will be on introducing attendees to area minority-owned businesses and re-certification, but it will also have information about funding changes anticipated in 2026.
“Those changes are cuts to Medicaid, cuts to possibly the share amount that we get for small business owners, for the health care plans here in the state of Georgia,” she explained. “We want to make sure our business owners and our community are prepared for all those changes that are coming up, even some of the tax benefits that are going to be available for business owners. We want to make sure people are fully aware of what changes are going to come, so they can prepare their businesses and their families.”
West said the summit is not just for businesses. She believes community members who attend will benefit from the range of information available.
Among the vendors and panelists will be representatives from the offices of Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff (Ga-D) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (Ga-D). They will focus on pending changes at the federal level and the anticipated impact on businesses and citizens. Jared Williams, District Attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit, will be on hand to explain the upcoming initiatives designed to help business owners.
“One of the big things we’ve been getting questions on is those who have brick-and-mortar businesses in our area. We will have a brick and mortar business panel from business owners who have been successful in that range,” said West. “We’re going to really talk about zoning, getting all their licensing and stuff, so they can know how to navigate and even prepare for growth. We have several business models that have grown tremendously, and they have moved locations, so you’re going to get to hear from them that night.”
Also available will be Sean Edwards of the Land Bank Authority and a representative from Security Federal Bank to talk about finance.
The summit is open to both members and non-members of GABCC.
“I think the big takeaway is going to be we’re going to really express the need for us to come together as a community and navigate the changes and how critical is going to be for each one of us to support each other on a local level, no matter what’s changing, what’s happening on a federal, even at the state level. That we’re going to have to get back to community and support each other,” urged West.
The summit will be on August 28 at the Jack Patrick Technology Building at 3200 Augusta Tech Drive. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the summit runs until 9:00 p.m. In addition to business discussions, there will be food and door prizes.
Tickets are $20 and available at https://mygabc.org/gabcc-events
