SBA to tour Southbridge business corridor

The Small Business Administration will conduct a walking tour through the Southbridge business corridor in Wilmington Tuesdaywith representatives from city, state and Congressional offices.

The tour is also the rollout of a new Delaware Department of Transportation effort to spotlight businesses along Delaware’s historic byways. The Southbridge businesses are located along the route where Harriet Tubman helped slaves escape via the Underground Railroad.  The DelDOT program includes revenue drivers such as coupons, signage, grants and road improvements to build tourism and visitors to the businesses.

The representatives will start the tour at 10 a.m. at Neighborhood House at 1218 B Street, then visit Harvest Christian Retail Store at 333 New Castle Ave. at 11 a.m. and Sepia Cleaners at 336 South Heald Street at 11:15 a.m. At 11:30, they will visit Ms. Bonnie’s Savor the Flavors Restaurant at 518 New Castle Ave.

“We all have a stake in homegrown Delaware business’ success,” said John Banks, SBA Delaware deputy district director. “Small businesses like the ones along the ‘Tubman Byway’ in Southbridge tie communities together.”