State of Small Business | May 6, 2026

The City of Savannah held its annual State of Small Business conference on May 6, 2026, as part of Small Business Week celebrations. The event featured speeches from Mayor Van R. Johnson II and key community leaders, emphasizing the importance of small businesses to the local economy and highlighting resources available to support them. Carver State Bank served as the title sponsor, showcasing its role in providing capital and financial services to local entrepreneurs, including SBA loans and new markets tax credit programs. The conference included presentations on economic trends, commercial real estate, and sector-specific opportunities in tourism, logistics, and film. Notably, the Savannah Entrepreneur Center was promoted as a free resource to assist small businesses in navigating procurement processes with the city, including minority and women business enterprise certifications. While no specific contract awards or RFPs were announced, the event underscored ongoing efforts to connect small businesses with city procurement opportunities and financial support to foster growth and sustainability.