Washington, D.C. – Today, on Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Day, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, recognized the important work of America’s SBDCs in the Congressional Record of the United States Senate.
“I’d like to thank and congratulate America’s SBDCs for their efforts this past year,” Chairman Risch said in the Congressional Record. “SBDC staff understand the unique local challenges of entrepreneurship specific to their area which is one of the many things that sets their services apart. This tailored approach benefits nearly 500,000 entrepreneurs a year and creates over 95,000 jobs annually. The support they provide to small businesses across our country is considerable, and it is my pleasure to recognize today, the 21 st day of March, 2018, as SBDC Day.”
America’s Small Business Development Centers provide our country’s small businesses with high quality consulting and educational programs, at low or no-cost to the entrepreneur. With centers in all 50 states, this network supports both established small businesses and developing entrepreneurs alike. SBDCs help America’s entrepreneurs develop and execute individual business plans tailored to fit their needs, experience, and level of business acumen.
Last year, the Idaho SBDC achieved a return on investment of five to one, and created over 1,300 jobs. Their network served over 1,600 clients and helped start more than 100 businesses.
Full text of the Congressional Record Statement is below:
Mr. President, today I would like to honor the exceptional impact made by America’s Small Business Development Centers on the small business community. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I recognize the importance of the work done by the nearly one-thousand Small Business Development Centers across America. This SBA resource partner works tirelessly to support the backbone of our economy, and we thank them for their significant contributions to our small business community.
America’s Small Business Development Centers, or SBDCs, provide our country’s small businesses with high quality consulting and educational programs, at low or no-cost to the entrepreneur. With centers in all 50 states, this network supports both established small businesses and developing entrepreneurs alike. SBDCs help America’s entrepreneurs develop and execute individual business plans tailored to fit their needs, experience, and level of business acumen.
SBDC staff understand the unique local challenges of entrepreneurship specific to their area which is one of the many things that sets their services apart. This tailored approach benefits nearly 500,000 entrepreneurs a year and creates over 95,000 jobs annually. Additionally, sales growth in SBDC clients averages 13.6 percent, a rate four times greater than the national average. These statistics demonstrate America’s Small Business Development Centers’ dedication to excellence, and I congratulate them on their hard work.
In my home state of Idaho, the Idaho Small Business Development Center is determined to help businesses grow with consulting and training. Last year, the Idaho SBDC achieved a return on investment of five to one, and created over 1,300 jobs. Their network served over 1,600 clients and helped start more than 100 businesses. One of these clients is House of Design, a robotics and systems firm located in Nampa. House of Design offers engineering consulting, robotic system, and machine vision integration services across a variety of industries. Shane Dittrich, the owner of House of Design, believes that his company would not be where it is today without SBDC assistance. Since its inception in 2008, House of Design has grown into one of the top engineering firms in the region and now partners with multiple firms across Idaho to produce high quality engineering and robotics products. House of Design is an example of both the unique entrepreneurial spirit of Idaho as well as the impact SBDCs have on small businesses across America.
I’d like to thank and congratulate America’s Small Business Development Centers for their efforts this past year. The support they provide to small businesses across our country is considerable, and it is my pleasure to recognize today, the 21 st day of March, 2018, as SBDC Day. I wish them the best of luck and continued success as they move forward in their work to enhance American entrepreneurs.
