Small Business Development Centers
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program has been vital to SBA’s entrepreneurial outreach for more than 30 years. It has become one of the largest professional small business management and technical assistance networks in the nation. With
nearly 900 locations across the country, SBDCs offer free one-on-one expert business advice and low-cost training by qualified small business professionals to existing and future entrepreneurs.
The SBDC program includes special focus areas such as, green business technology, disaster recovery and preparedness, import and export assistance, veterans assistance, procurement assistance, electronic commerce, technology transfer and regulatory compliance. A number of SBDC networks have specialized programs or centers dedicated to these focus areas.
During the past thirty years, through a unique mix of federal, state and private sector resources, the SBDC program has increased its return on investment. Through federal grants, SBDCs in every state and territory provide the foundation for the economic growth of small businesses. These small businesses, in turn, advance local and regional economic development through the generation of business revenues, job creation and job retention. This return on investment is demonstrated by fiscal 2010 outcomes, where SBDCs:
• Assisted more than 13,600 entrepreneurs to start new businesses – an estimated 37 new business starts per day.
• Provided counseling services to over 107,000 emerging entrepreneurs and nearly 102,000 existing businesses.
• Provided training services to approximately 380,000 clients.
The efficacy of the SBDC program has been validated by a nationwide impact study. Of the clients surveyed, more than 80 percent reported that the business assistance they received from the SBDC counselor was worthwhile. Similarly, more than 50 percent reported that SBDC guidance was beneficial in making the decision to start a business. More than 40 percent of long-term clients, those receiving 5 hours or more of counseling, reported an increase in sales and 38 percent reported an increase in profit margins.
For information on the SBDC program, visit www.sba.gov/sbdc. To schedule an appointment for counseling or to see the seminar schedule, contact the center nearest you from the list below.
Billings SBDC
Rebecca Hedegaard, SBDC Director
Beth Adams, Business Advisor
Big Sky Economic Development Authority
222 N. 32nd St., Ste. 200
Billings, MT 59101
406-254-6014 • 406-256-6877 Fax
Bozeman SBDC
Sean Becker, Business Advisor
Montana Community Development Corp.
222 E. Main St., Ste. 202
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-728-9234 ext. 250
Butte SBDC
Julie Jaksha, SBDC Director
Southwest Montana Headwaters RC&D
65 E. Broadway, 2nd Fl.
Butte, MT 59701
406-782-7333 • 406-782-9675 Fax
Colstrip SBDC
Jaimi Balsam, SBDC Director
Southeastern Montana Development Corp.
6200 Main/P.O. Box 1935
Colstrip, MT 59323
406-748-2990 • 406-748-2990 Fax
Great Falls SBDC
Rebecca Engum, SBDC Director
John Mack, Business Advisor
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
300 Central Ave., Ste. 406
Great Falls, MT 59401
406-771-9032 • 406-454-2995 Fax
Havre SBDC
Joe LaPlante, SBDC Director
Bear Paw Development Corporation
48 2nd Ave., Ryan Bldg.
Havre, MT 59501
406-399-1557 • 406-265-5602 Fax
Helena SBDC
Dan Anderson, SBDC Director
Montana Business Assistance Connection, Inc.
225 Cruse Ave.
Helena, MT 59601
406-447-1512 • 406-447-1514 Fax
Kalispell SBDC
Chris Parson, SBDC Director
Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce
15 Depot Park
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 756-3836
Missoula SBDC
Amita Patel, SBDC Director
Denis Blackstun, Business Advisor
Montana Community Development Corp.
110 E. Broadway, 2nd Fl.
Missoula, MT 59802
406-728-9234 • 406-542-6671 Fax
Montana Lead Center
Ann Desch, SBDC State Director
Small Business Development Center
301 S. Park Ave./P.O. Box 200505
Helena, MT 59620-0505
406-841-2747 • 406-841-2728 Fax
Wolf Point SBDC
Lorene Hintz, SBDC Director
Great Northern Development Corporation
233 Cascade St.
Wolf Point, MT 59201
406-653-2590 • 406-653-1840 Fax
