SBDCs’ Impact
According to America’s Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC’s) 2021 annual report, SBDCs help their clients start a new business every 26 minutes and create a new job every six minutes. Your local SBDC is here to help you meet your goals – whether that’s starting, growing, expanding, or recovering your business.
Many small business owners relish the expert guidance they receive from SBA resource partners, including SBDCs. There are more than 1,000 SBDCs throughout the U.S., which provide free business consulting in financing, marketing, international trade, regulatory compliance and other important issues. SBDCs are committed to the success of individual small businesses and communities, dedicating resources toward key focus areas like rural development and underserved populations.
Throughout the pandemic, SBDCs have become even more critical to the small business owners they serve, helping their small business clients complete loan applications, offering business owners advice about the reopening process, and more. On SBDC Day, March 21, we highlight SBDC services and celebrate the successes small business owners have achieved and the hurdles they have overcome with guidance from their local SBDCs.
How SBDCs Help Small Businesses Thrive
Small business owners at any stage can get help from their local SBDC regarding a range of business topics. Not only can SBDCs provide one-time and ongoing business counseling, but they also hold local workshops. SBDCs – along with the rest of the SBA resource partner network – are also prepared to offer you experienced advice when disasters and challenges strike.
Pete Van Bogaert, SBA’S 2020 Small Business Person of the Year for Arizona, turned to his local SBDC for help during the 2008 recession. At the time, his metal business, PVB Fabrications, was suffering due to a contraction in the mining industry.
SBDC counselors helped Pete streamline his financial and management processes, diversify products, and focus on profitability. Pete became 8(a) certified and expanded operations into the federal sector. With his local SBDCs help, Pete was also able to secure capital to fund his company’s expansion.
Go to sba.gov/local-assistance to connect to your local SBDC and other SBA resource partners.