GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SBDC SERVICES

HOW MUCH DOES BUSINESS COUNSELING COST? Our counseling service is free. There may be a charge for some materials we recommend that you use in business planning. We have a large variety of free resource materials.

IS IT CONFIDENTIAL? Absolutely! We operate under ethical practices similar to your attorney or your accountant. Any information you share with us is held in strict confidence. We may want to tell somebody about you in order to put you in touch with others who may be good business contacts; in those cases we ask your permission.

HOW LONG WILL MY COUNSELING SESSION LAST? The first session is generally one hour. During that session a program for continued work is developed with the counselor. You work with us at your own rate and schedule. It is up to you how long you work with us and how many sessions you feel you need.

CAN I GET A LOAN FROM THE SBDC FOR MY BUSINESS? The SBDC is not a lender. We will help you identify sources for financing. We encourage folks to build a business plan and then develop a loan proposal. We do not write or "package" loan proposals or business plans. We will show you how to do it and provide you with models and workbooks to follow.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE SBDC? The SBDC is a living library. It is a place you can go to read, do research, view videotapes, and interact with a business computer or a "real live" business counselor. We also present business training seminars and workshops on a number of subjects of interest to the business owner. It is our goal to create environments in which the business person's creativity can flourish.

It will be up to you to use these resources to your best advantage. We would like to be on your management team along with your banker, accountant, attorney and family. Time is our only real constraint in providing you assistance. Like your time, we hope you will use us wisely.

YES! I'M INTERESTED - NOW WHAT DO I DO? Ask to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our certified business counselors. We will set up the appointment and introduce you to our services.

WE HELP BUILD THE BEST-RUN BUSINESSES IN UNION, WALLOWA & GRANT COUNTIES!

THE SBDC IS FOR THE EXPERIENCED BUSINESS PERSON
WHO WANTS TO:

· Improve his or her business
· Solve business problems
· Develop new ideas for products or services
· Investigate new business opportunities

THE SBDC IS FOR THE INEXPERIENCED BUSINESS PERSON
WHO NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND:

· Going into business
· Business planning
· Financial management
· Marketing
· Business opportunities in the local area

HISTORY

The Eastern Oregon University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was created under a Federal Government program, in partnership with Community Colleges and Universities throughout the United States, to help both established and start-up businesses. The SBDC is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Oregon Department of Economic Development, Eastern Oregon University and locally generated funds.

SERVICES

The EOU SBDC offers services to Grant, Union, and Wallowa counties. Potential and existing business owners can receive free, confidential counseling from certified SBDC business counselors. Our experienced staff can work with you to determine you business' strengths and weaknesses, develop strategies to improve your business and help point you in the right direction.

The services offered by the SBDC include one-on-one counseling, business education workshops, referrals to other agencies, and access to resource materials and government contract information.

RESOURCES

The SBDC office houses a business reference library of books, magazines, videotapes, worksheets, business forms, and government publications. Access to other sources of information, such as electronic databases and inter library loan programs, is also available. Most of the information is free and available from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The SBDC also has business plan workbooks available for purchase:

Your Business Plan: Master the techniques of running a successful small business with step-by-step instruction in preparing a business plan.

REFERRALS

SBDC staff works closely with local and regional economic development organizations and state agencies. Association with these and other organizations allows SBDC to provide referrals and to help find answers to many business questions.

TRAINING

The SBDC offers business skill enhancement through many different forums, each based on the needs of the business person. Workshops covering a variety of business management topics are offered in our three county service area at minimal cost. The educational options may include on-site business education workshops, interactive televised forums, video presentations, individual learning through online classes.