SVSU-based Michigan Small Business Development Center gets CARES Act boost to help region's economy

Great Lakes Bay Region communities will be among 83 Michigan counties where small business owners challenged by the pandemic will benefit from expanded support offered by the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which operates a regional office at Saginaw Valley State University. 

 

With support from CARES Act funding, resources are allocated to help boost the region's economics. Those resources include the following: 

• 46 additional business consultants to meet the increase in demand for one-on-one consulting support
• New partnerships with service providers (website development, marketing, accounting, etc.) that can help businesses weather the effects of COVID-19 

“As small businesses begin to restart, recover and launch, they will be required to have a heightened awareness and response to our ever-changing economic environment,” said Beth Roszatycki, regional director of the SBDC operations housed within the Business Excellence Centers in SVSU's Scott L. Carmona College of Business building. 

 

“This shift will also require modifications to how they previously operated, including their social norms. Being able to equip business owners and future entrepreneurs with the resources, tools and knowledge to respond to these evolving requirements and best practices will be critical. I see the SBDC being the support network to help with these necessary changes.” 

 

The expanded services will be available through March 2021. 

 

“We were able to add consulting staff to meet increased demands and extend our service offerings into key areas that we know will expedite small business recovery,” said J.D. Collins, state director of the Michigan Small Business Development Center. “This tangible support will aid in business recovery from the immediate effects of COVID-19 while building resilience for the future.” 

 

Michigan Small Business Development Center offices – including the operations housed at SVSU – provide no-cost consulting, training, market research, and technology commercialization services to assist Michigan businesses to launch, grow, transition and innovate. 

 

Assistance includes business plans, marketing plans, applying for financing, budgeting, hiring, business forms, feasibility, and strategic planning. 

 

Small businesses owners can access free business consulting, on-demand and online training, and market research at SBDCMichigan.org.