UA’s Small Business Development Center Network helped create and retain 1,500 jobs and start 200 new businesses last year.
The Alabama Small Business Development Center Network, based at The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business, is making an impact on small business success in its 67-county statewide service area.
The Center recently received a proclamation from Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey as part of National SBDC Day, highlighting the SBDC’s impact on small business growth and jobs impact in Alabama.
In fiscal year 2017, the SBDC helped create and retain 1,531 jobs and assisted with 207 new business start-ups. Small business clients secured $60.3 million in capital as a result of technical assistance provided by SBDC professional staff.
“It was a busy year for us, and it was a productive year for SBDC clients,” said Bill Cummins, the statewide SBDC executive director. “We provided 3,000 emerging and established businesses with one-on-one confidential advising, educational training, and other resources they need to be successful.”
In Alabama, the SBDC program is hosted by The University of Alabama and has 10 field offices operated in partnership with network member universities in Alabama and their respective college of commerce. Approximately 30 full-time business advisers are engaged in helping small businesses around the state. Founded in 1980, the program leverages the expertise available from higher education in Alabama to assist small business to start and grow.
“We are celebrating the success of SBDC clients this month through the national SBDC recognition program,” Cummins said.
Nationwide, America’s Small Business Development Center program clients created almost 100,000 new jobs and helped clients raise $5 billion in capital. The program operates in all 50 U.S. states and is funded in part through cooperative agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration.