The Jackson, Tennessee Small Business Development Center has received a $6,250 grant from Simmons Bank. The funding will be used on a marketing campaign to focus on COVID-19 safety precautions, demonstrating how individuals may safely explore, shop, and continue supporting small businesses in the area.

“The COVID-19 health crisis has created many challenges for small businesses this year,” said Monique Merriweather, local TSBDC director. “We want to support small businesses by encouraging local consumers to think local when they shop or eat out.

Merriweather says that the grant will mainly support the current small business owners who are clients of the center. “Each business will be required to be an active participant in the ‘Tennessee Pledge’ and ‘For the Love’ campaign,” Merriweather stated. “The goal is to encourage our neighbors, friends, and family to support small businesses during the upcoming holiday season.”

Merriweather says that Jackson State Community College, the local sponsor organization for TSBDC, in collaboration with tourism and the Chamber of Commerce, will host the webpage for the campaign where itineraries, imagery, and videos will be available. Additionally, the campaign will include scheduled posts on the TSBDC’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter social media channels.

The goal of the TSBDC is to provide services to the more than 500 small businesses owned by local individuals. Services to those businesses include marketing, advertising, financial planning, growth planning, business planning, and other essential support services.

For additional information about the campaign or other services provided by the Jackson TSBDC, contact Monique Merriweather at 731-424-5389 or [email protected].