SPOKANE- The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network helped local businesses save or create 2,110 jobs and assisted clients in obtaining over $96.5 million in loans and new investments in 2006.
Many of the businesses that took advantage of the free and low-cost technical assistance and training available through the network’s 25 statewide centers found success in 2006.
Despite higher energy costs and other economic challenges, numerous Washington businesses saw profits increase. That growth came, in part, with help from the services and programs offered through the SBDC, including business advising and educational events such as seminars and workshops.
The 27 Certified Business Advisors at SBDCs across the state counseled 3,256 clients last year and provided 24,410 hours of in-depth counseling – more than seven hours for every client. In addition, over 5,800 clients attended 545 training sessions.
The impacts of SBDC advising and training provide important returns. According to the most recent independent study, state coffers received almost $8 million in additional sales tax from SBDC clients’ increased sales after they received advising from Certified Business Advisors. Clients that used the Washington SBDC had 23.2% sales growth, while businesses that did not had sales that grew by only 6%.
SBDC State Director Brett Rogers said, “Our assistance to Washington’s small businesses is vital in that the impacts resulting from small business success radiate throughout the entire state economy. These impacts show that the SBDC’s Certified Business Advisors are helping small businesses realize success and contribute to Washington’s economic vitality. ”
The SBDC provides no-charge confidential counseling and low-cost training to current and prospective business owners. It is a cooperative effort between WSU, Western Washington University, community colleges, economic development organizations and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
For more information on the mission and services of the SBDC visit the website at http://www.wsbdc.org.
