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#SBDCDay March 21: Celebrating small businesses

MADISON – Help for small business owners shouldn’t be a secret. That’s why the Wisconsin SBDC Network is spreading the word for the second-annual national SBDC Day — March 21, 2018.

Small Business Development Centers have provided entrepreneurs the education and resources they need to start, manage and grow since 1980.

In 2017, Wisconsin SBDC consultants across 14 locations provided confidential, no-cost consulting to 2,677 clients, leading to 281 new businesses, 878 new jobs, 234 retained jobs and more than $80 million in capital investment.

“We are proud to support our state’s dreamers, innovators and doers,” said Bon Wikenheiser, state SBDC director. “Small businesses are the foundation of our cities and towns.”

Social media will play a central role in #SBDCDay. Small businesses, partners and advocates are invited to help spread the word using the hashtag #SBDCDay leading up to and on March 21, to share what SBDCs do and how small businesses make a difference in their communities.

The effort will also be marked by public relations initiatives, proclamations and events. The message that small businesses play a strong role in our economy is one worth repeating.

“It’s great to see SBDCs, their clients and supporters come together to celebrate SBDCs and their amazing clients. With SBDC support small businesses around the country raised over $5 billion in capital and created nearly 100,000 jobs,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, President & CEO of America’s SBDC.

The SBDC is the nation’s most comprehensive business assistance network. In 2016, centers provided 1.24 million hours of consulting to 188,602 businesses, resulting in 17,174 new businesses, 96,095 jobs, $6.4 billion in sales growth and $5.16 billion in capital investments.

To learn more about #SBDCDay and to join the movement, visit www.AmericasSBDC.org/SBDCDay.

About America’s SBDC Network

America’s SBDC (Small Business Development Center) Network is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations. It is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run and grow their own businesses. SBDC clients start a new business every 30 minutes, create a new job every 5 minutes, generate $100,000 in new sales every 8 minutes, and raise $100,000 in capital every 10 minutes. www.americasSBDC.org

About Wisconsin SBDC Network

The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center is a statewide network supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting and business education. Regional SBDC experts facilitate improvement and growth for small and emerging mid-size companies and help launch successful new enterprises. The Wisconsin SBDC, hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, features 14 local centers mostly located in four-year UW institutions, with outreach and virtual services covering the entire state. http://www.wisconsinSBDC.org