ACE Women’s Business Center – Savannah Region Hosts Grand Opening

WBC Directors Nita Penn (L) and Sandra Font (R) with Allen Thomas of SBA

The ACE Women’s Business Center– Savannah Region (ACE WBC SAV), an SBA grant-funded center, held a grand opening event on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at the Georgia Coastal Center, located inside Savannah State University’s School of Graduate Studies, in downtown Savannah. Clients were able to meet ACE @acecdfi senior leadership & SBA @sbagov representatives in-person, build rapport with the ACE WBC -Savannah Region office, and feel welcomed as a form of #appreciation for their support during our first year of operation. Speakers included:

  • Nita Penn, Director, ACE WBC- Savannah Region
  • Terri Denison, District Director, SBA Georgia District Office
  • Allen Thomas, Regional Administrator for the Southeast Region, SBA
  • Grace Fricks, President/CEO, ACE| Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Inc.
  • Client Testimonials:

The event boasted a combination of ACE WBC -Savannah Region Clients*, Veteran Business Owners**, and local BIPOC Entrepreneurs as vendors, including:

Latin Chicks*, Dawgz For All & More*, Ms. Fields Sweets & Treats*, Los Potato Pies**, Indulge Coffee**, and Ashford Tea Company.

Conveniently located in downtown Savannah at the Coastal Georgia Center, the ACE WBC SAV serves small businesses in an 8-county coverage area: Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh. The mission of the ACE WBC is to empower women, minorities, and low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs through financial education and training, serving as a valuable resource for underserved business owners—from aspiring to established.

The Savannah WBC is part of the SBA’s historic expansion of WBCs in 20 rural, urban and underserved communities across America. The ACE WBC is the educational arm of ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Inc. and provides coaching, tools and resources for women business owners to sustain and grow their ventures in north Georgia, metro Atlanta, and the Savannah region. Since launching in April 2021, the ACE WBC SAV has met 80% of its goal, for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, for unique clients served via one-on-one consultations, cohorts, webinars, and trainings—and they’re just at the midyear mark!

“We are grateful for our ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs senior leadership, and for the continued support of the U.S. Small Business Administration GA District Office and Regional Administration,” says Nita Penn, Director, ACE Women’s Business Center- Savannah Region. “Our clients and vendors were able to mingle and engage with local financial leaders and community & resource partners while showcasing their entrepreneurial strides. We are here as a launchpad. We are here to serve. Thank you to all who attended and to all who will continue to support our efforts to advance business acumen and financial education for our clients.”

Download PDF of media release HERE

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  • Staff, speakers, clients and guests attend the grand opening celebration.
  • Nita Penn (C) with ACE WBC SAV clients.
  • WBC Coordinator Brandy Simpkins (R) with food vendor and client Indulge Coffee