Small Business Development Centers

The SBA's Small Business Development Center program is a cooperative effort involving the private sector, the educational community and federal, state and local governments. It is designed to provide management assistance to current and prospective small business owners by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and branch locations.

The program is a cooperative effort of the private sector, the educational community and federal, state and local governments. It enhances economic development by providing small businesses with management and technical assistance.

There are 56 small business development centers and almost 1,000 service locations in the United States and its possessions. In each state, a lead organization sponsors the SBDC and manages the program, which includes coordinating the program services offered by the subcenters and satellite locations in each state. Subcenters are located at colleges, universities, community colleges, vocational schools, chambers of commerce and economic development corporations.

To meet the needs of the community and individual clients, and to take full advantage of available resources, each center develops services in cooperation with local SBA district offices

Although paid consultants, engineers and private testing laboratories are used to help clients needing special expertise, most of the counseling and guidance comes from staff members and volunteers. The volunteers come from professional and trade organizations. They include lawyers, bankers, academicians, representatives of local chambers of commerce and Service Corps of Retired Executives volunteers.

Funding

The SBA provides 50 percent or less of the operating funds for each state SBDC; one or more sponsors provide the rest. These matching fund contributions are provided by state legislatures, private sector foundations and grants, state and local chambers of commerce, state- chartered economic development corporations, public and private universities, vocational and technical schools, community colleges, etc. Increasingly, sponsors contributions exceed the minimum 50 percent matching share.

What the Program Does

The SBDC program is designed to provide counseling, training and technical assistance in all aspects of small business management. Services include guidance on financial, marketing, production, organizational, engineering and other technical problems, as well as feasibility studies. SBDCs also have programs international trade assistance, technical assistance, procurement assistance, venture capital and rural development.

Eligibility

Assistance from an SBDC is available to anyone interested in beginning a small business for the first time or improving or expanding an existing small business, who cannot afford the services of a private consultant.

Additional Information

In addition to the SBDC Program, the SBA has a variety of other programs and services available. They include training and educational programs, advisory services, publications, financial programs and contract assistance. The agency also offers specialized programs for women business owners, minorities, veterans, international trade and rural development.

The SBA has offices located throughout the country. For the one nearest you, consult the telephone directory under "U.S. Government", or call the Small Business Answer Desk at 1-800-8-ASK-SBA or (202) 205-7064 (fax). For the hearing impaired, the TDD number is (202) 205-7333.

Stewart-Gordon Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 781992
Dallas TX 75378-1992
voice (972) 620-2489
fax (972) 406-0213
e-mail Tom Stewart-Gordon