SBDC announces reopening of Yakima Service Center

The Washington Small Business Development Center recently announced the appointment of Linda Johnson as the SBDC Business Development Specialist serving the greater Yakima area.

Johnson will open the SBDC Center at the Yakima Business Resource Center on Wednesday, March 15. The SBDC office will be co- located with the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, and the Yakima County Development Association at the Yakima Business Resource Center, 10 N. 9th Street.

Johnson earned her MBA from WSU and is a Certified Public Accountant. Yakima-area business owners and entrepreneurs who seek her assistance will benefit from her experience as a business owner, public accountant, and financial manager. Johnson has owned her own online retail clothing outlet since 1997 and has been self-employed as a CPA since 2002. She also served as Vice President of the Hotel Division for Quest, and more recently as Controller for Wilkinson Corp (both located in Yakima).  She has an in-depth understanding of the economic climate in Yakima, and brings a well-developed knowledge of agriculture and farming to the position.

Brett Rogers, State Director for the Washington Small Business Development Center, said, “The Washington SBDC’s Business Development Specialists provide professional business consulting services to owners and entrepreneurs.  Johnson’s experience and expertise adds depth to the Washington SBDC Network.  She will be an invaluable resource to the business community in Yakima and the surrounding area.”

The Washington SBDC had a presence in Yakima for many years, but the center has been inactive since early 2004.   The newly revitalized center is able to open its doors in part due to the cooperation and financial support provided by Evergreen Community Development Association and the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce. Phil Eng, President of Evergreen Community Development, and Mike Morrisette, President and CEO of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, have been instrumental in bringing the SBDC back to Yakima.

The Washington Small Business Development Center network represents a unique partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington State University, members of the Community College System of Washington, Western Washington University, Evergreen Community Development Association, and several economic development organizations. The SBDC also has close referral relationships with SCORE, Women’s Business Centers, and a number of State agencies.