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The NC Community College System's Small Business Center Network (SBCN) is celebrating 40 years of dedicated support and assistance to small businesses and emerging businesses throughout North Carolina. Small Business Centers (SBCs) are an integral part of the state's community colleges, providing confidential business counseling, seminars and resource referrals to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
SBCN was established in 1984 when eight SBCs were created with funding from the North Carolina General Assembly. By 1995, it had expanded to include at least one center at each of the state's 58 community colleges. On average, the centers help start 650 businesses and create and retain more than 3,000 jobs each year.
Now with more than 60 locations, the Small Business Center network is the largest state-funded technical assistance program for small businesses in the United States.
“We are extremely proud of the impact our Small Business Center has had on the local economy,” said Dr. Jack Bagwell, president of the University of Albemarle. “The Center provides a wealth of resources for small business owners and those considering starting a business. Our Center fosters the growth and success of countless small businesses in our community.”
Holly Staples, director of COA's Small Business Center, added, “As part of SBCN, we are honored to be at the forefront of economic development in COA's seven-county service area. Each year, our center counsels dozens of small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, and hundreds attend impactful, relevant workshops and seminars. It is an honor to work alongside the creative, smart and hardworking entrepreneurs in the Albemarle region to help them realize their dreams of becoming business owners.”
Highlights from the College of the Albemarle Small Business Center:
- The center supports individuals from the research phase of starting a business through to establishing and expanding their business, providing individualized business counseling, training opportunities and referrals to resources.
- All services are free and open to the public and you do not have to be a COA student to attend.
- Popular seminar topics include writing a business plan, marketing and branding, social media marketing, website design, NCDOR and IRS compliance, and accessing capital.
- In 2016, SBCN designated the center a Center of Excellence under the leadership of former Director Ginger O’Neill in recognition of her initiative and collaborative spirit in guiding local businesses through the start-up process.
Testimonials from local entrepreneurs:
- “The Small Business Center has been a huge contributor to my success as a small business owner/manager. I have reached out to them on multiple occasions for assistance and have been provided with the best, most professional, valuable information and guidance. I truly appreciate the support and confidence they have in my business.” – Stephanie Blanchard, River City Crafts
- “The Small Business Center was a great source of information and resources for me as I started my business. They provided me with mentorship and guidance so I knew how to move forward.” – Local Entrepreneur
- “SBC is a valuable resource for our small business community and has helped my company immensely.” – Local Entrepreneur
The mission of the Small Business Centers is to increase the success rate and number of viable small businesses in North Carolina. Each Center is committed to providing high-quality, accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners with the goal of creating and preserving jobs.
For more information about the center and its services, please contact: