Accreditation renewed for WSU-hosted small business center

The Washington Small Business Development Center has again achieved a 5-year accreditation to continue providing advice, education and resources to existing and aspiring small business owners.

Washington State University has been the statewide host of the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) since its inception in 1981 and is the lead institution among nearly 30 organizations that provide funding or in-kind support for the nation’s largest small business assistance program. SBDCs receive funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration and must secure one-to-one match with state and local funding sources.

The Washington SBDC Network is one of 62 SBDC networks across the county and includes nearly 30 certified business advisors and two export advisors working in more than two dozen communities across the state.

“Considerable planning and effort have gone into attaining the goal of full accreditation and the Washington SBDC Network is commended for its success,” said Jody Keenan, chair of the America’s SBDC accreditation committee. Every SBDC network in the country must be accredited every five years to be eligible for federal funding, and a major focus of the accreditation process is to ensure that public funds are being used efficiently and effectively to deliver significant, credible, economic impacts.

“Confidential, one-on-one SBDC business advising has been a critical resource for Washington entrepreneurs and business owners for more than 35 years,” said Duane Fladland, state director of the Washington SBDC. “By undergoing a rigorous accreditation process every five years, we ensure that our services remain relevant and responsive to the needs of our stakeholders across the state.”

From 2008 to 2017, SBDC business advisors in Washington state have provided one-on-one advising to more than 17,000 business owners or entrepreneurs. Those SBDC clients have credited the Washington SBDC with helping them secure $511 million in financing, save or create more than 11,000 jobs and start more than 1,000 businesses.

According to an independent survey by James J. Chrisman of the Mississippi State University, every $1 spent on the Washington SBDC results in incremental tax increases of $4.77. The Government Accountability Office has determined that “SBDCs offer an example of best practices” among the 52 federal entrepreneurial assistance programs.

Brian Kraft, WSU assistant vice president for Innovation and Research Engagement, said the SBDC’s mission to provide insights and solutions to help small businesses succeed aligns well with WSU’s economic development strategy.

“We are active in efforts to better connect research activities with business needs and the SBDC can play a key role in that effort,” Kraft said. “This accreditation helps us maintain a focus on stakeholders while building new connectivity across the WSU system.”

For more about the Washington SBDC, go to http://wsbdc.org 

Contact:

Hope Tinney, hopebt@wsu.edu, 509-432-8254

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