It’s beyond cliche at this point to say that 2020 was a year of massive disruption due to the pandemic. And so much has changed since then.
Case in point: In 2019, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Stevens Point had been chosen by its network peers across the state to be recognized as Wisconsin’s 2020 SBDC Center for Excellence and Innovation Award.
But due to COVID-19, regular events and programs were either canceled or — our “favorite” word — pivoted to virtual.
Two years later, travel and in-person visits have become more commonplace. And we finally got the statue to our winners!
Melissa Meschke, who was center director at the time, joined her replacement, Patrick Gatterman, and staffers Zia Yang and Mark Speirs, this August for an on-campus celebration.
The center was honored for many reasons, including:
- A strong expansion of two educational programs in 2019: First Steps to Starting a Business (11 offerings for 112 people) and the Business Education Series (27 offerings for 164 people).
- A 100 percent satisfaction rating for consultant Mark Speirs, who assisted 200 clients in 2019.
- The team’s passion, experience and dedication to assist business owners across a large rural service area in the ways they need it most.
“The SBDC at UW-Stevens Point is very deserving of this award and did not rest on its laurels as the pandemic hit,” said Bon Wikenheiser, Wisconsin SBDC state director. “With innovative training, new methods to connect with rural areas and consistent one-on-one consulting, this team continues to add value to the region’s small businesses. We are proud of their accomplishments and know we can rely on their dedication to the program’s mission.”