East Hartford, CT; March 11, 2021 – Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) is celebrating National SBDC Day on Wednesday, March 17 after a year of supporting over 9,200 small businesses through a pandemic.
SBDC Day is a collective proclamation of the impact America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) have on the success of our nation’s dreamers, innovators, and doers – America’s small businesses owners and entrepreneurs. As small businesses continue to adapt the challenges presented by COVID-19, CTSBDC is a no-cost resource available to help owners maintain viable businesses and prepare for the future.
An event normally held in-person at the Connecticut State Capitol, CTSBDC will celebrate their accomplishments virtually with a video featuring shared experiences from CTSBDC clients, remarks from public officials, and observations from CTSBDC Business Advisors on working with clients over the past 12 months.
“This past year has shown the resiliency of our small businesses,†stated CTSBDC State Director, Joe Ercolano. “Our advisors have worked with more than double the number of businesses compared to the previous year and supported them in ways that were totally new to us. We are proud to support the small business community and continue to be a resource for them as we enter the next stage.â€
Since March 6, 2020, CTSBDC has helped small businesses receive over $137 million in emergency and non-emergency funding, supported 34,451 jobs and helped 174 businesses launch. CTSBDC serves many of the industries most deeply impacted by COVID-19, including service establishments, retail trade, manufacturers, accommodation and food services, and health care and social assistance.
“Through the assistance provided by technical resource partners like the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, over 80,000 small businesses were able to access approximately $11 billion [in Federal emergency assistance] dollars,†said Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner, David Lehman.
Helping businesses like Sip Wine Bar in Old Saybrook start is part of CTSBDC’s core mission. Working with their Business Advisor, Derrik and Kelley Kennedy were able to prepare their business plan and secure financing critical to opening their business – even during a pandemic.
“Through working with the team at the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, we’ve been able to achieve our vision,†stated Kelley Kennedy, Owner, Sip Wine Bar.
The commemorative video will be available for viewing and sharing on March 17th on CTSBDC’s YouTube channel as well Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
About the Connecticut Small Business Development Center
The Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) provides business advising to small business owners and entrepreneurs to start, grow, and thrive in Connecticut. Â Our professional staff of 20 Business Advisors offers no-cost confidential and expert business advising to small business owners and entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and reach their goals.
From the entrepreneur looking for business plan assistance to the experienced business owner looking to pivot their business, CTSBDC Business Advisors have the expertise you can count on.
Our business advising includes not only an assessment of your business plan but access to resources to grow your business:Â Tools such as geographic-based demographics, consumer spending data, market research, financial projections, industry reports, and more. Through our connections with various traditional and non-traditional lending institutions, we help business owners get access to capital when it is needed most.
CTSBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, and the University of Connecticut School of Business.