Providing big help for small business

Providing big help for small business

T he Solano College Small Business Development Center offers training and counseling to small businesses in Solano County. The Center is part of the national Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Program, which consists of over 1,100 Centers nationwide.

Funding for the Center is provided through the Small Business Administration (SBA) on the federal level, the California Community College Economic and Workforce Development Program on the state level, and through local partners such as the City of Vacaville. The SBDC offers the following three core services:

Training: The Center offers workshops on small business topics such as business startup, business planning, financing, marketing, basic bookkeeping, government procurement and other small business topics. These short-term workshops are typically 2-3 hours in length and are designed to provide entrepreneurs the practical knowledge. In addition to the short-term workshops, the Center offers a 12 week NxLeveL Entrepreneurial Training Program designed to help entrepreneurs develop a thorough business plan.

One-on-one Counseling: The Center offers no-cost confidential one-on-one counseling services to entrepreneurs seeking to start, buy or grow a business through a team of “been there, done that” Business Advisors who either own their own businesses or have owned a business.

Information and Referrals: The Center maintains a resource library and reference materials that entrepreneurs can access. Library materials can be checked out by the client. Resources include Nolo Press books, Entrepreneur Magazine Startup Kits, etc.

The SBDC targets existing small businesses, but also works with startup businesses. One common theme for both startup and existing businesses is the need for access to capital. There are a lot of loan programs available to small businesses such as SBA guaranteed loans, state guaranteed loans, lines of credit, microloans, and local loan programs. The SBDC does not do lending, but can help businesses determine what their capital needs really are and then assist them with the application process for appropriate loan program.

For more information on how you can access the services of the SBDC, please visit www.solanosbdc.org or call (707) 864-3382. The center is located at 360 Campus Lane, Suite 102, in Fairfield.

The City of Vacaville has contracted with the SBDC since 1992 to provide assistance to small and entrepreneurial businesses. The City pays the SBDC $12,000 annually for this service.