On May 31, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Gulf Coast University received accreditation through the Florida Small Business Development Center Network (Florida SBDC Network). The SBDC became a member of the Florida SBDC Network in 1997.
The statewide network, comprised of 11 regional centers with 36 offices including the SBDC at FGCU, received full accreditation by the national accrediting agency, the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). Accreditation – essential to secure continued funding by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – facilitates the national and state SBDC program to be recognized as a high quality economic development organization.
The ASBDC test of uniform quality delivery ensures that the federal government, host institutions and state, funding partners and support programs demonstrate effectiveness, efficiency and success in counseling and training entrepreneurs, small business owners and managers – Florida’s major economic drivers.
In 2009, the SBDC helped businesses create and retain 470 new jobs assisted with 41 new business start-ups, enabled the contribution of $3.1 million in sales growth, held over 165 training events, counseled 1,332 clients and provided almost 7,000 hours of free business and management counseling.
SBDC at FGCU Director Dan Regelski said, “This is a long, but extremely important process, as it is imperative for our continued funding and the Network’s movement toward achieving a world-class delivery system for sustaining small business development and survivability in today’s rocky environment. The accreditation report serves as our roadmap for driving continuous improvements in both management systems and processes of the SBDC network.”
The Florida SBDC Network is one of eight original SBDC pilot programs funded by the SBA. Now in its 34th year of operation, the program successfully links federal, state and local government resources with the state’s higher education system and the private sector to aid in the development and education of Florida’s entrepreneurs and business community. The SBDC at FGCU is a vital part of Florida’s successful statewide network.
For more information contact Regelski at (239) 745-3705.