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Northwest Colorado SBDC reports growing use in Moffat County, offers free advising
Summary
Ashley Dishman of the Northwest Colorado Small Business Development Center told commissioners the SBDC provided no‑cost advising and training to local businesses, served 58 clients in the grant’s first three quarters and will continue services under a two‑year grant.
The Northwest Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) updated the Moffat County Board of County Commissioners on May 27 about local outreach and services for small businesses.
Ashley Dishman, a locally based business navigator and contractor for the SBDC, told commissioners the center provides ‘‘no cost, confidential 1 on 1 advising’’ and low‑ or no‑cost training, and connects business owners to other resources. Dishman said the SBDC focuses both on startups and established firms and that roughly 70% of its work serves existing businesses.
Dishman said the SBDC’s regional grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) supports expansion into Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt counties. She said the local grant covers two years and that the program was entering its second year on July 1. During the grant’s first three quarters (ending March 31), the SBDC reported working with 58 unique consulting clients, delivering 156 advising sessions (an average of 2.7 sessions per client) and reaching 33 training attendees.
Dishman said the SBDC meets people ‘‘where they are’’ and often provides virtual advising with advisers outside the community to preserve confidentiality. She asked local partners to refer businesses to the SBDC — for example, lenders can refer loan applicants who need a business plan or financials polished before reapplying.
She also highlighted a partnership with the City of Craig’s business plan competition, noting a July 10 kickoff and a prize pool she said had increased to $50,000; she said business-plan submissions are due Aug. 11 and that the SBDC can help entrants prepare. Dishman said the SBDC has no fixed office under the terms of its grant and that she typically meets clients at their businesses or other community locations.
Commissioners asked about the grant’s duration and whether it would be renewed. Dishman said the position’s funding was initially for two years and that continuation would depend on reauthorization or other funding sources; she said the SBDC would reassess after the two‑year period.
