The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is placing renewed emphasis on domestic manufacturing and regional economic resilience as Justin Crossie, South Central Regional Administrator, prepares to visit the Tulsa area this week. His appearance underscores ongoing federal efforts to strengthen American manufacturing supply chains and support small and medium-sized enterprises across the South Central United States.
Mr Crossie will be in the Tulsa region on Thursday, 15 January, to participate in the Made in America Manufacturing Resource Summit in Glenpool, where he is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. The summit brings together manufacturers, policymakers, and business support organisations to explore resources designed to help domestic producers expand capacity, improve competitiveness, and navigate evolving economic conditions.
Throughout the day, the regional administrator will also be available for media engagements, either in Glenpool or at Tulsa-area news outlets. His visit is expected to focus on how federal programmes are being deployed to support manufacturers at a regional level, particularly in states where industrial activity plays a significant role in local employment and economic output.
As South Central Regional Administrator, Mr Crossie oversees SBA operations across Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The five-state territory represents a diverse economic landscape encompassing energy, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and technology-driven small businesses. The SBA’s remit in the region includes loan guarantees, entrepreneurial development programmes, disaster recovery assistance, and targeted support for underserved business communities.
Mr Crossie brings extensive experience in government affairs and public policy, with a career spanning federal, state, and local government. Prior to his current appointment, he served as a policy adviser for Jeff Landry in Louisiana’s Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities, where he worked on strategies related to coastal protection—an area of major economic importance for the state’s energy infrastructure, ports, and fisheries.
The Tulsa visit marks a return to a familiar leadership role for Mr Crossie. He previously served as South Central Regional Administrator from 2018 to 2021, during which time he oversaw a multi-billion-dollar small business loan portfolio across the region and played a central role in economic development initiatives and disaster recovery efforts following hurricanes, floods, and other natural events.
That earlier tenure also coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, when the SBA administered unprecedented levels of financial assistance to small businesses through emergency lending and relief programmes. Those initiatives proved critical for firms facing sudden revenue losses, supply chain disruptions, and mandated closures, placing the South Central region at the forefront of SBA programme delivery.
The Made in America Manufacturing Resource Summit reflects broader federal priorities focused on strengthening domestic production, improving supply chain resilience, and supporting workforce development. Events of this nature are intended to connect manufacturers with federal, state, and local resources, including financing tools, export assistance, and technical support aimed at scaling operations and improving productivity.
Manufacturing remains a significant contributor to Oklahoma’s economy, with industry clusters spanning aerospace and defence, energy equipment, and advanced materials. By hosting the summit in Glenpool, organisers aim to spotlight regional manufacturing capabilities while ensuring that smaller firms have direct access to decision-makers and programme administrators.
Beyond his policy and administrative background, Mr Crossie is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a credential that often resonates with veteran-owned businesses, a key constituency for the SBA. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and is a graduate of Riverside Military Academy.
His visit to the Tulsa area reflects the SBA’s continued emphasis on regional engagement and on-the-ground visibility, particularly as manufacturers contend with rising costs, labour shortages, and the need to invest in new technologies. For businesses attending the Glenpool summit, the presence of the SBA’s senior regional official signals an opportunity to engage directly with federal support structures at a time of strategic importance for American manufacturing.
