Small Business Development Center Network


Purpose
This program facilitates the start-up, operation, and growth of businesses by serving as a first-point and continuing contact through business counseling and group training to those that are interested in starting or expanding a small business in Minnesota.

Customers and Services
Services are available to Minnesota businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. Counseling and training on a wide variety of business issues such as business planning, marketing, financing, and general business operations are provided through a network of 34 Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and outreach locations. SBDCs are located primarily at state colleges and university campuses. Counseling services are available at no cost to for-profit businesses that meet the U.S. Small Business Administration's standards for size and business type. Per program regulations, SBDCs exist to assist for-profit businesses, but they do assist nonprofits and communities with economic development projects on a case-by-case basis.

Measures - Reporting period is state fiscal year (SFY), July 1 - June 30

 

SFY 2009

SFY 2010

SFY 2011

Number of aspiring and existing businesses served

3,252

3,407

3,004

Number of professional consulting hours delivered

33,460

35,653

32,098

Percentage of customers who would recommend SBDCs to others

96.4%

91%

90%


More DEED measures: Uniform Program Accountability Measures

Funding Source and Expenditure (in thousands)

 

SFY 2009

SFY 2010

SFY 2011

Federal Fund

$1,537

$1,911

$1,648

General Fund

$639

$447

$696


Statutory Authority
-- Minn. Stat., Chap. 116J.68; U.S. Code, Title 15, Chap. 14A, Sec. 648

Contact Information 
Bruce Strong, State Director
Phone: 651.259.7420 or toll-free: 877.653.8333; TTY: 651.296.3900

This information current as of December 2011.