Small businesses keep our economy lively.  They employ about half of all private-sector employees.   They create two-thirds of net new jobs and are the driving force behind U.S. innovation and competitiveness.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the mission of a Small Business Development Center is to promote growth, innovation, productivity, and revenue for small businesses through improvements to their business administration.  Special SBDC programs and economic development activities include international trade assistance, technical assistance, procurement assistance, venture capital formation, and rural development.  And the cost to the clients is ZERO.

The SBA has been particularly crucial to helping small businesses cope with the impact of COVID-19.  They administer the Payroll Protection Loan Program and the SBA Disaster Loan Program. SBDC counselors like Jock Sommese are working overtime assisting small business with loan applications and management decisions to help them survive the effects of closures and drastically reduced revenues.

The SBDC serving DeKalb County is funded through the SBA, the State of Illinois’ Department of Commerce & Economic Development Opportunity, Waubonsee Community College, Kishwaukee College, and other community stakeholders who want to see the business succeed.  SBDC counselor Jock Sommese can be reached at sbdcjms@gmail.com or 267-275-6950.

To learn more information, please read DCEDC’s Executive Paul Borek’s full article attached below.

SBDC Article