SBA Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs Visits Citizens Bank of Edmond

The collaboration between Briggs and Citizens Bank of Edmond CEO Jill Castilla dates back to the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when Briggs managed the launch of the $800 billion Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan initiative. During his stop in Oklahoma, Briggs toured downtown facilities including Frenzy Brewing Company and the bank’s own retail incubator, RiSE, to witness firsthand how SBA-backed financing fuels local growth.

Small businesses are the primary engine of the Oklahoma economy, accounting for 99.4% of all businesses in the state. Data from the SBA’s Office of Advocacy indicates that these 395,520 firms employ over 706,000 people, representing more than half of the state’s workforce. Between March 2023 and March 2024, small enterprises drove 80% of Oklahoma’s net job growth, adding 16,295 new positions.

Reflecting on the mission of the agency, Briggs emphasized the importance of local partnerships, noting that his mandate is to counsel and protect the small business community. Castilla praised the current SBA leadership for their work in dismantling bureaucratic waste and ensuring that federal programs remain relevant for future economic development. As an SBA Preferred Lender, Citizens Bank of Edmond continues to serve as a critical bridge between these federal resources and local owners looking to expand operations or invest in new equipment.