Small Business Development Centers

63 Small Business Development Centers

Currently, there are 63 Lead Small Business Development Centers located in every state offering a variety of one-stop services at each center. A network of 1100 service sub centers and satellites are located at community colleges, universities, vocational schools, chambers of commerce and economic development corporations.

SBDC Free services

The program is sponsored and partly funded by the Small Business Administration with matching funding provided by state and local governments, the private sector, grants, state and local chambers of commerce, economic development corporations and public and private colleges and universities. Government budget cuts have encouraged sponsor contributions above 50 percent. Staffing is both paid and volunteer. Most services are free, but some may require a fee.

Who Is Eligible?

Assistance is available to those who cannot afford the services of a private consultant but are interested in starting a small business or improving or expanding an existing small business.

What Small Business Develop Centers Provide

Programs deliver counseling, training and technical assistance in several aspects of small business management, including financial, marketing, production, organization, engineering, technical problems, feasibility studies, training and publications. Specialized programs include international trade assistance, technical assistance, procurement assistance, venture capital formation and rural development. Assistance is given to small businesses applying for Small Business Innovation and Research grants (SBIR).

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.

Special Programs

Special efforts are made to service minority members of socially and economically disadvantaged groups, veterans, women and the disabled.

Find A Center Near You

Phone: The Small Business Answer Desk 1-800-8-ASK-SBA

TDD phone number for the hearing impaired 202-205-7333

Web Site at SBDC locator

Check Out SBDCNET

The Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse is funded by the SBA offering additional services similar to the Small Business Development Centers. It provides additional research, web-based information, on-site training and distance learning through a network of centers and paid counselors. The main difference between the SBDCs and the SBDCNET services is that the latter services are more in-depth and available only through their counselors.

Services Provided By SBDCNET

Online services provided only through SBDC counselors include references, market research, demographic information, basic patent and trademark searches and business maps, businesses databases such as InfoUSA, RefUSA and Standard Rate and Data Service’s Direct Marketing List Source. Turnaround time for requested materials is approximately four weeks.

Free Information Sources

Other web site resources and links are available free to the public, including aging, associations and organizations, business plans, company information, copyright, crime, demographics, E-Commerce, education and schools, financial, government, grants, health, healthcare, Hispanic market, home business, human resources, import-export, industry, industry classification codes, industry information, inventing, legal logistics, patents, publications, references, religious affiliations, Ring studies, safety, security, Spanish language business documents, statistics, trademarks, venture capital, veterans and vital statistics.

Contact SBDCNET

Phone: 1-800-689-1912

Web site SBDCNET