On June 11, the Rockland Business Association (RBA), in partnership with Congressman Mike Lawler and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), hosted a free Small Business Resource Event at Clarkstown Town Hall. The morning-long gathering provided local entrepreneurs with direct access to federal and regional resources, including experts affiliated with the SBA, IRS, Veterans Business Outreach Center, and the Lower Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center.
The event commenced at 9 a.m. and ran through noon, offering a structured agenda that featured workshops focused on key topics for small business success: financing, tax compliance, and marketing strategy . Attendees had the opportunity to engage with specialists who could answer questions about loan eligibility, IRS tax obligations, and best practices to help their ventures thrive in today’s competitive environment.
Congressman Lawler opened the program with brief remarks, acknowledging both the challenges and opportunities facing small business owners in Rockland County. His presence underscored the vital role that federal policymakers play in bridging access to vital SBA-backed programs and regulatory guidance . Event organizers emphasized that building relationships between entrepreneurs and government agencies is more than symbolic—it’s strategic. Local business owners benefit from personalized advice, while agencies gain firsthand insight into community needs.
A notable feature of the event was a dedicated segment for veterans. The Veterans Business Outreach Center was on-site to assist veteran entrepreneurs with specialized consultation on launching or expanding their businesses from a military-to-business transition perspective. These sessions addressed unique challenges veterans face—such as leveraging service-related benefits, navigating certifications, and preparing effective business plans—and provided tailored support to help them succeed in the local economy.
Participants also engaged with the Lower Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center and Community Capital NY, an SBA micro-lender, both instrumental in providing details on financing tools suited to small-scale operations and emerging startups. These organizations outlined eligibility and application steps for low-interest loans and micro-grants, reinforcing the message that funding options are attainable for diverse business types—from home-based startups to established storefronts.
Local businesses praised the workshop format, which paired focused presentations with ample Q&A time and structured networking. Attendees reported that the mix of expert panels and interactive breakout discussions fostered meaningful exchanges—not only with professionals from SBA and IRS, but also among peers striving to scale or improve their services. One local café owner noted she left with a clearer blueprint for her business’s financial roadmap and a new connection with a mentor from the development center.
RBA leaders highlighted the event’s success in reasserting how grassroots engagement remains a cornerstone of small-business vitality. By centralizing diverse resources in one accessible forum, the event reinforced that effective support is not limited to online portals or remote consultations—it also involves face-to-face interaction that builds trust, clarifies complexities, and sparks long-term collaboration .
This Resource Day builds on the RBA’s broader mission to strengthen economic ties within Rockland County. According to their event calendar and organizational mission, the RBA regularly facilitates educational meetings, networking sessions, and advocacy initiatives on behalf of the county’s business community. By hosting sponsors such as SBA and IRS, the association ensures that businesses—from veteran-operated ventures to micro-entrepreneurs—gain structured, practical guidance tailored to their development stage.
Contextually, Rockland continues to expand its small business ecosystem with county-led grant programs, such as a Small Business Assistance Grant designed to help enterprises recover from pandemic-era losses. These funding efforts, combined with federal workshops and local mentorship channels, create an increasingly robust environment for entrepreneurial growth and district-wide economic resilience.
Looking ahead, the RBA plans to sustain this momentum. The calendar shows upcoming events, including a Women’s Leadership Council meeting on July 18 and a Marketing Communications Council session on July 30 . The diversified programming signals a commitment to addressing the distinct needs of varied business owners—whether they are women-led startups, tech-focused firms, or veteran-run enterprises.
For its part, the SBA emphasized that events like this are part of its national goal to simplify federal access pathways. By appearing in local communities and co-hosting with elected officials and business associations, the SBA seeks to demystify loan options, compliance issues, and growth strategies. This aligns with agency-wide priorities aimed at improving outcomes for underserved and rural entrepreneurs—segments often underserved by mainstream financial systems.
The Rockland Small Business Resource Day achieved exactly what its organizers intended: bringing vital tools, actionable guidance, and meaningful connections into one venue. As participants return to their operations, many cited a clear commitment to applying what they learned: updating tax practices, refining loan proposals, launching new marketing campaigns, or partnering with fellow entrepreneurs. One attendee summed it up poignantly: “This event filled gaps we couldn’t address alone—and connected us to help that already exists in our backyard.”
In an era where startup success is increasingly tied to networks and access to expertise, Rockland’s initiative stands as a best-practice model. It underscores that when grassroots organizations, federal agencies, and elected representatives align locally, entrepreneurs gain not just instruction—but a sustainable framework for future growth.
