| Small Business Development Center | ||
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Helping Entrepreneurs Grow Culverhouse
College of Commerce |
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| SBDC Home | Culverhouse College of Commerce | University of Alabama |
Who We Are
A program of The University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) completed its 26th year of service in 2007. Throughout its history the Center's fundamental mission has not changed: deliver quality assistance and information to the region's small businesses in an efficient and timely manner.The SBDC accomplishes its mission through the use of professional staff, faculty and graduate students; and with the support of many partners throughout its service region.
Who We ServeThe SBDC provides its complete range of services to an eight-county area of West Alabama. Annually, the Center assists more than 300 clients interested in starting a business or already in business. In addition, the center delivers more than 25 workshops attended by nearly 800 people each year. The Center's clients are drawn from the retail, service and manufacturing sectors of the economy.
How We Help
Market Research
What We Do
ALABAMA ENTREPRENEURIAL RESEARCH NETWORK (AERN)
The Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network (AERN) provides entrepreneurial tools and training to economically distressed Black Belt counties. It works in partnership with local chambers/agencies to provide local entrepreneurs with research and business planning resources. The AERN currently includes 14 counties in Alabama. Each AERN partner agency is provided an entrepreneurial toolkit of resources to encourage and assist potential and existing entrepreneurs in their respective communities. The package of resources includes business reference materials, business planning software and computer technology. On-site training for agency partners, local economic specialists and entrepreneurs is an integral part of the program. AERN partners include The University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Commerce's Small Business Development Center and Center for Business and Economic Research, the Alabama Small Business Development Consortium as well as the Office of the Provost at The University of Alabama.
A LEARNING LAB
The Small Business Development Center provides practical solutions to real world questions. The Master of Business Administration students who assist the Center in providing those solutions gain valuable work experience. The Center's MBAs are called on to research new markets, construct spreadsheets, analyze and rework business plans, and provide general guidance to a myriad of existing and start-up business concerns.
Program Sponsors
The University of Alabama
Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration
Alabama Small Business Development Consortium
United States Small Business Administration