Small Business outreach yields insights for Gov.-Elect

Recognizing the critical role that Colorado’s small business owners are playing in the economic recovery, the Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) has prepared a summary of a hands-on statewide outreach program for Governor-Elect John Hickenlooper and his transition team.

The report, which will be submitted to the Governor-Elect, is a distillation of ten meetings that took place over the last two years in every region of Colorado.  It reflects the imagination and determination of Colorado’s small business owners and a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges that they are managing through in the wake of the economic slowdown. 

“The information from these meetings is used in an ongoing, dynamic way by the SBDC Network,” said Kelly Manning, SBDC state director.  “The feedback from Colorado’s small business community has informed, and continues to inform, our efforts to adjust existing programs and services and create new approaches that serve our clients and meet their needs with real-life, real-time solutions.”

The SBDC Network partners with private, state and federal entities provide custom-fit services to small businesses.  To date, the SBDC Network are on track to surpass all previous years metrics in job creation, capital formation and new business starts—standard goals the SBDC holds their Network accountable to measure.

Still, the dynamics of the economy are challenging and clients needs change week-to-week, month to month.  As the only statewide agency with the capacity and expertise to respond to Colorado’s small business owners, the SBDC offers access to education, training and marketing advice for every small business.  The SBDC provides support and consulting services at no charge, and training at a minimal cost, to Colorado small businesses, everything from small retailers to bio-tech start-ups.

“Colorado’s small businesses act as the engine that will drive this state and our citizens towards a positive economic position,” said Kelly Manning.  “The SBDC Network is adapting by reaching out to the state’s small businesses and offering solutions and resources for what they need now.”