North Dakota Small Business Development Center Receives Accreditation and Continues Momentum on Campus

Laura Arneson

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

6-10-2016

Campus Unit

College of Business & Public Administration

Abstract

The North Dakota Small Business Development Center (ND SBDC) received national reaccreditation this spring by the Association of Small Business Development Centers. Considerable planning and effort went into this process for the team to achieve this milestone accomplishment.

This accreditation is required for SBDC networks to secure continued funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration and is essential for SBDC networks to be recognized as a high-quality small business assistance program. ND SBDC received reaccreditation for a full five-year period with no conditions, a significant achievement based on the network's more recent history.

ND SBDC is a partnership between the federal government (U.S. Small Business Administration), the state of North Dakota (Commerce Department) and the North Dakota University System (University of North Dakota) that provides training and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state.

The ND SBDC was established in 1986 with the University of North Dakota serving as the program host and fiscal agent for ND SBDC. The ND SBDC Lead Center was initially located at UND, then relocated to Bismarck. In September 2015, the Lead Center relocated back to UND's Gamble Hall.

There are eight regional offices located in Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Bismarck, Minot, Dickinson, and Williston. As well as satellite offices in Wahpeton, Bowman and Crosby. The program is led by State Director, David K. Martin since February 2015, and Associate State Director, Tiffany Ford since August 2015.

The ND SBDC has helped small businesses in North Dakota create 576 jobs, retain 123 jobs, and assist beginning entrepreneurs start 115 new businesses last year. With the Lead Center back on campus and the national reaccreditation received, we are excited to see the momentum continue!

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