FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 15, 2019

CONTACT: Daniel Iverson | diverson@mt.gov | 406.841.2893

Montana Small Business Development Centers Celebrate 30 Years

HELENA, Mont. – Montana’s network of Small Business Development Centers this year will celebrate three decades of assisting nearly 6,500 businesses, more than 29,000 entrepreneurs and the 244,000 hard-working Montanans small businesses employ.

“Nearly all businesses in Montana are small businesses, so it’s critical to have access to qualified support that can assist them with their needs,” said SBDC State Director Chad Moore. “As small businesses continue to drive our economy, SBDCs are available to help every entrepreneur succeed.”

In 2018, the Montana SBDC Network helped launch 58 new businesses, provided 5,591 hours of client counseling and hosted 91 training seminars to reach 1,055 participants. The network also created or retained 494 jobs and helped small business owners launch or grow their companies by helping clients to access more than $24 million in financing.

Owners of new and existing businesses may schedule an appointment with an SBDC business advisor for free one-on-one assistance with a variety of business topics including business planning, financial analysis, market research, loan packaging, business management and more.

The Montana SBDC Network is funded in-part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Department of Commerce also contributes funding to the program.

The SBDC Lead Center at Commerce oversees administrative operations with satellite offices throughout the state. Regional SBDC offices are housed in higher education institutions and economic development organizations in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Miles City, Missoula and Wolf Point.

For more information and how to contact regional SBDC offices, visit SBDC.MT.GOV.

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