SBA regional visit underscores Forsyth County manufacturing and small business growth

A regional representative from the U.S. Small Business Administration visited Forsyth County on December 11, 2025, holding meetings with local officials and small business owners and appearing at an event at Cherry Street Brewpub at Halcyon. The visit emphasized the county's manufacturing base and recent small business growth, and sought to connect entrepreneurs with SBA programs and services that facilitate funding, technical assistance, and business planning.

During the engagements, local leaders and small business stakeholders discussed ways to leverage federal resources through existing local partnerships. Conversations centered on improving access to loans and counseling for startups and expanding workforce development pipelines to meet manufacturers' needs. Photographs from the visit show the meeting at Cherry Street Brewpub at Halcyon, reflecting the downtown and mixed use developments that increasingly host business networking in Forsyth County.

For the local economy, the visit carries immediate and longer term implications. Federal attention from the SBA can increase visibility for loan programs and grant opportunities that finance equipment and expansions for manufacturing firms. It can also catalyze partnerships between employers, workforce providers, and training institutions to reduce skills gaps that constrain growth. For small business owners, greater awareness of SBA services may translate into higher loan applications and more use of counseling and export assistance, which in turn supports job retention and creation.

Policy and market observers will watch for concrete follow up actions such as outreach workshops, targeted loan clinics, or coordinated workforce initiatives. Strengthening connections between the SBA regional office and county economic development staff could speed approvals and tailor programs to the needs of local manufacturers and small enterprises. For residents, improved business investment and a stronger workforce pipeline are likely to mean more stable employment options and a broader local tax base that supports public services.

The visit marked a step toward deeper collaboration between federal, county, and business leaders in Forsyth County, with potential to shape business expansion and workforce outcomes in the coming year.