The Small Business Technology and Development Center: Helping North Carolina’s Small Businesses Grow
Posted by Business Expansion Funding Corporation on November 29, 2011
“We are here to help small businesses achieve their goals,” says George McAllister, director of North Carolina’s Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC). With 16 locations around the state, in the last 26 years, the SBTDC has helped over 120,000 small to mid-sized businesses start and grow. It’s an important mission considering that small companies make up 98% of North Carolina’s employers and account for 48% of private sector jobs. Nearly all net creation of new jobs since 1980 has occurred in small businesses less than five years old.
Funded by the University of North Carolina and the Small Business Association (SBA), SBTDC offers a wide range of resources and help—all free of charge—for developing small businesses. McAllister compares the organization’s role to the classic “teach a man to fish” proverb, adding, “Our primary purpose is that of education. We can’t do the work for you, but we can teach you what needs to be done and guide you on your journey.”
In fact, SBTDC offers an impressive and comprehensive range of services all designed to advance the small business owner toward success. Services included:
- Providing small business expertise
- Offering training and education for business startups
- Assistance for economic developers and communities
- Business and management advice
- Financial analysis
- Marketing and PR assistance
- Strategy development and implementation
- Help with leadership and employee performance
Upcoming events include a seminar on “Becoming an Investor-Ready Entrepreneur”, “Government Procurement Events”, “NxLevel Business Planning for Entrepreneurs”, “QuickBooks Seminar”, and “Export University 101” (a one-day workshop on export sales, finance and logistics solutions. For information on all of these events and more are available on the SBTDC website.
The SBTDC works closely with BEFCOR on a regular basis helping clients seeking funding to determine if qualifying requirements can be met and then to gather the necessary documentation and materials to apply for a BEFCOR 504 loan. McAllister says around 85% of their clients come seeking small business funding and they can be a tremendous asset helping business owners develop cash-flow projections and sound financial strategies.
SBTDC’s staff of professionals provide an unparalleled wealth of real world experience and knowledge as many have been successful small business owners in their own right. The services are again, free of charge, and all work with all clients is 100% confidential. It’s a resource that business owners can feel confident with and frankly, would be wise to engage. They are indeed steering North Carolina’s businesses toward a better future. Visit their website at www.sbtdc.org.
