Chemeketa SBDC director outlines programs to boost small businesses and reentry supports in Dallas

Matt Geiger, director of the Center for Business and Industry and of Chemeketa Colleges Small Business Development Center, told the Dallas Economic Development Commission on Oct. 1 that his office offers one-on-one advising, market research and targeted training across Polk, Marion and Yamhill counties.

Geiger said the college-hosted SBDC network includes 17 community-college hosts statewide and that Chemeketa has eight advisors in its footprint. He said advisers bring MBA-level or comparable real-world experience and that clients can access free market research and the Global Trade Center through partnerships with Portland Community College and Southern Oregon University.

Geiger highlighted several local programs: a four-part marketing miniseries launching in November; Ready, Set, Start intake sessions that guide unregistered entrepreneurs through business formation; a 10-month Small Business Management cohort (cost $750) that combines monthly classroom sessions with advising; and a Latino Microenterprise Development Program run with SEDCOR and the Latino Business Alliance, supported by a Business Oregon technical assistance grant.

On reentry support, Geiger described Cornerstone, a three-week program piloted at a minimum-security facility that included 18 adults in custody from Sanam corrections. He said the center is seeking grants to create a business-book library at SCI, provide licensure support and offer wraparound services to help participants start businesses on release. Geiger said the program will track how many participants sign up for advising after release and, where possible, will use offender identifiers to evaluate recidivism over time, but noted meaningful recidivism metrics will likely take until 2027 to accumulate.

Commissioners pressed Geiger on the states business climate after one commissioner cited a drop in Oregons business-friendliness ranking to 39th. Geiger attributed the decline to state-level priorities and committee appointments, and said SBDC advocacy and legislative outreach continue but flat state funding amid rising costs constrains capacity.

Geiger discussed local outreach steps specific to Dallas: workshops hosted with the Dallas Chamber, sessions at the Polk Center, and inviting SBDC advisers to downtown association events. He said the SBDC will offer specialized workshops (for example, restaurant startups and transition-planning for retiring owners) and pilot a program addressing the "silver tsunami" (retiring business owners and transition financing).

On workforce and youth engagement, Geiger described college-credit dual-enrollment options, a youth entrepreneur cohort that culminates in pitch presentations, and plans to place outreach staff in high schools to recruit directly rather than rely solely on counselors. He also described supervisory leadership classes in Spanish and online options aimed at retaining mid-level employees.

Geiger encouraged local leaders to share SBDC newsletters and offered to host SBA-focused nights to demystify loan processes. "We want people to know that the resource is there," he said, adding that many business owners are "accidentally successful" and need help with management, finance and growth strategy.

The meeting included robust Q&A about downtown occupancy, commercial land shortages and partnerships with local chambers; Geiger said SBDCs role is coaching and technical assistance rather than direct economic-development investment.

The commission thanked Geiger for the presentation and exchanged contact information for follow-up on workshops, apprenticeships and youth programs. The presentation and questions occupied the bulk of the meeting before staff delivered the citys monthly report.