Texas Governor Announces 15 Cities for 2026 Small Business Summits

Small business owners in Texarkana won’t see a Governor’s Small Business Summit hosted locally in 2026, but one of the newly announced locations is close enough to maybe make the trip worthwhile.

Governor Greg Abbott recently announced the 15 Texas communities selected to host the 2026 Governor’s Small Business Summits, a series of events held throughout the year to connect entrepreneurs with tools, resources, and expert guidance to help start and grow a business.

Texarkana Is Not On It!

While Texarkana didn’t make the list this time, Nacogdoches was selected to host a summit on September 3, putting the event a leisurely 2.5-hour drive south on US Highway 59, roughly halfway to Houston.

What the Small Business Summits Offer

According to the Governor’s Office, the summits bring together local, state, and federal resource partners for sessions covering critical business topics.

What can you expect:

• Practical guidance for starting or expanding a business
• Updates on financing, workforce, and compliance
• Opportunities to network with fellow business owners
• One-on-one conversations with subject-matter experts

“Small businesses are the backbone of the Texas economy,” Governor Abbott said, noting that more than 3.5 million small businesses employ nearly half of all working Texans.

READ MORE: Texarkana Water Utilities Plans Local Q&A Jan 22

Nacogdoches Summit Registration Opens In June

Registration will open in June for the Nacogdoches summit on September 3, so this will take some planning and coordination on your part. Keep checking the Governor’s Office website for more information.

Wouldn't it be cool if most of the businesses that registered were from the Upper East Texas area? Just saying!

If you would like to see the full list and dates, here is the Official Calendar.

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