Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
SBDC reports surge in advising hours, launches disaster resource guide and microloan pilot
Summary
The Central Mountain Small Business Development Center reported 305 documented client-advising hours year-to-date, launched bilingual disaster-assistance resources in response to a nearby wildfire and is piloting microloans in partnership with a local bank and community-foundation gap funding.
Audrey, who leads the local Small Business Development Center, told commissioners the center has grown its advising capacity, added bilingual advisers, and rapidly produced a bilingual small-business disaster resource guide for businesses affected by nearby wildfires.
"Since January 1, 305 documented hours with clients," Audrey said, summarizing outreach and advising effort. She described 16 events since January, new disaster advisers on call during wildfire season, a 12-week Cloud City Food Lab accelerator and the Made in Chaffee event that seeded a local fund to support creative entrepreneurs.
When the Willow Fire started, SBDC staff coordinated with local economic-development partners and canvassed roughly 125 businesses with a one-page bilingual guide and QR-linked live resource page that summarizes preparedness, insurance steps and recovery resources. Audrey also described a microloan pilot with a local bank and a community-foundation gap fund to close small-credit gaps for startup or expanding businesses.
Commissioners praised the center’s responsiveness and asked staff to share the disaster guide and program uptake metrics publicly; Audrey said she will share materials and continue coordination with chambers, EDC and county OEM.
