By Seigenthaler Public Relations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Pathway Lending has been selected by the U.S. Small Business Administration to become one of only six new Women’s Business Centers across the country. Beginning in early 2015, women entrepreneurs in Nashville and Clarksville will have a new resource for growing their businesses.

The Center will provide in-depth business consulting, classroom training, peer-to-peer learning, and online events on topics such as strategies for business expansion, cash flow management, and access to capital. The Center seeks to serve women-owned businesses in all areas of business, and will also provide offerings targeted toward the technology, manufacturing, healthcare and automotive sectors.

“As an organization we are very excited to bring new resources to Tennessee,” said Clint Gwin, president of Pathway Lending. “Women’s business ownership is growing exponentially and we want to be a part of helping these entrepreneurs achieve their goals and have positive impacts upon our community.”

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, women-owned businesses are majority owners of about one third of the nation’s small businesses and are equal owners of about half of all small businesses. The SBA supports women entrepreneurs nationwide through various programs and services, some designed specifically for women. Women’s Business Centers like Pathway’s tailor their services to the needs of individual communities, offering a variety of programs.

The service territory for the Center also falls within the state’s DRIVE! region, which is recognized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Investing Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) for its successful automotive industry strategy. Components of the Women’s Business Center programing will support women business owners already in the automotive supply chain or who are looking for ways to enter that market.

“Members of the DRIVE! consortium are excited about having this new resource to further advance the automotive sector,” said Charles Shoopman, Jr., Assistant Vice President, University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service. “We appreciate the role that the Women’s Business Center will play in the consortium to further accelerate the growth of Tennessee’s automotive cluster.”

Pathway Lending has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to offset a portion of the new Center’s operating costs. A grand opening will occur in mid-January at the Metro Center location.