Small and Mid-Size Business Development:
Helping drive the businesses that drive the economy.
As drivers of the Eastern Region's growth and success, small and mid-size businesses have accounted for the majority of net new jobs over the past 10 years. But at the same time these firms have been severely impacted by the economic downturn; often their sales have been flat or declining and they've had to lay off workers. To help strengthen the regional economy, stem unemployment, and start growing jobs, North Carolina’s Eastern Region participates in Governor Beverly Perdue’s innovative Biz Boost program.
Biz Boost helps businesses retain jobs and accelerate growth. Working with the University of North Carolina System's Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC), the Eastern Region connects vulnerable firms with proven and effective business-assistance resources. The Eastern Region helps develop and implement strategies for reaching out to affected small and mid-size businesses throughout the region. The SBTDC and its team of experienced management advisors and business specialists provide in-depth personalized counseling to help businesses:
- Improve financial management
- Identify potential new customers
- Restructure debt
- Develop strategies for renewed growth.
In the first phase of an engagement, SBTDC advisors thoroughly assess the current financial and operational status of the participating business and look for improvements that can have an immediate impact. Following that, they help the business work through specific issues - whether in marketing, access to capital, employee and management performance, strategy or any other area of concern. The SBTDC's assessments and one-on-one business counseling are available at no cost to participating businesses.
Since 1984, the SBTDC has helped businesses grow jobs and revenues at more than 3 times the average rate for North Carolina firms. Strong, well-managed businesses are critical to job creation and regional economic success - and over the past 25 years independent surveys have shown that SBTDC clients outperform their peers, even during recessions. Governor Perdue and the NC Commission on Workforce Development initiated Biz Boost to help keep people employed and stimulate business growth - support for Biz Boost comes from existing federal workforce development funds. To learn more about Biz Boost and register your business for the program, visit www.sbtdc.org/bizboost.
