ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Our mission is to assist prospective and existing small business owners in the greater South Bay area to start, retain, or expand their businesses, increasing California's communities' wealth and quality of life.

Self-employment through small business ownership is vital to California's economy. Small businesses create jobs and have a positive economic impact in every California community. SBDCs facilitate the creation, expansion and retention of businesses through the provision of one-on-one counseling, workshops, assistance with obtaining access to capital, and referrals to other valuable resources for prospective and existing business owners. SBDCs also assist with business plans, marketing, financial questions and other business issues.

California's Regional SBDC programs are part of the United States Small Business Administration national network of SBDCs. The SBDC programs leverage local, state and federal dollars to strengthen small businesses and positively impact the state's economy. In 2003-2004, more than 24,000 existing or prospective California business owners received business management counseling resulting in the creation or retention of 9,000 jobs and an increase of $170 million in sales.

The Small Business Development Center is partially funded by the United States Small Business Administration under a cooperative agreement. SBA's funding is not an endorsement of any product, opinion or service. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Special arrangements for individuals with disabilities will be made if requested in advance. Additional funding comes from the California Community College Economic and Workforce Development Program, and El Camino College.