SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS (SBDC) The Utah Small Business Development Center (SBDC) mission is to strengthen Utah’s economic fabric and quality of life by facilitating the success and prosperity of small business endeavors. The Utah SBDC is a network of business consultants, trainers and educators and support staff operating statewide out of Utah’s state colleges and universities, including: College of Eastern Utah - Blanding and Price, Davis Applied Technology College, Dixie State College St. George, Salt Lake Community College - statewide host and Salt Lake service center, Southern Utah University - Cedar City, Snow College - Ephraim, Utah Valley State College - Orem, Utah State University - Logan and Vernal, Weber State University. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The USBDC serves the following major Utah clients: 1. Consultations on the feasibility of new business ideas: one-on-one consultations, specialized knowledge as needed to satisfy unusual requests, and online feasibility consultations available. 2. Consultations for those having problems managing their business: accounting, marketing, research, business plans (including cash flow), budgets, and management and operations. 3. Consultations for those whose business is ready for expansion and growth, and is now in need of capital, whether debt or equity by providing : knowledge of loan programs (including guarantees), knowledge of how to help develop a business plan, and knowledge of the process of applying for credit and gaining approval for loans 4. Provide entrepreneur training in ways our clients can use, including specialized training in management, HR, accounting & bookkeeping, leadership, strategic planning, and business software. 5. Actively participating in the development of each community served, by being an active participant in the chamber and local and state economic development efforts.
Success Story: Lincoln Environmental Services Lincoln Environmental Services began in the spring of 1994 after Gary Baur contacted a former high school friend, James “Terry” Grover, to see if he would be interested in starting a business based on hazardous materials recovery/ remediation. James Grover was excited about the idea and they both set up goals on how and when to get the business started.
Terrell F. Bird, President RCIUtah, inc. dba Risk Control
Utah is a great place to do business because there exists quite a few resources to help the small business owner to succeed. The SBDC portion of the SBA sponsored by Salt Lake Community College has been a great source of help and council. There are also some of the state agencies who offer low cost classes on accounting and bookkeeping. The SBDC has been the best resource to me because of the counseling I have received in dealing with some of the complexities and difficulties which can cause a lot of grief to the small business owner. Since their counselors have “been there before,” they can provide practical suggestions as to the best way to proceed. But the overall attitude in the state is definitely “pro small business.”
The primary function of their business was to target over the road (OTR) accidents or incidents involving hazardous materials and petroleum spills.
Governor’s Office of Economic Development • Annual Report 2007
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