Named “Center of the Year”
(River Falls, WI) – The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-River Falls along with center director, Katherine Fossler, have earned statewide recognition for innovation, high-impact programming, and strong community engagement from the Wisconsin District of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The 2025 Small Business Development Center of Excellence and Innovation Award is given by the Wisconsin district of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to recognize outstanding efforts to boost the state’s small businesses. SBDCs help businesses start, manage and grow through no-cost, confidential consulting and business education.
The award was presented to Fossler and UW-River Falls’ SBDC team as part of the 2025 Wisconsin SBDC Statewide Network meeting held June 11-12, 2025 in Brookfield, WI.
“We are truly honored and humbled to be chosen for this prestigious award,” said Katherine Fossler, center director, UW-River Falls SBDC. “Our center receives the smallest budget allocation out of all the 11 centers statewide, and we consider ourselves the underdog – in a good way of course!
“To receive Center of the Year validates our ‘do more with less’ strategy and efficient, effective operating procedures,” Fossler added. “I am so proud of my team and their dedication to serving clients with the very best we have to offer – every day in every way. Our clients are such a joy to work with and this area of the state is bursting with Entrepreneurial energy. What an honor to be a part of supporting this growing movement.”
The UW-River Falls SBDC’s strong partnership with the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center, where it resides, enhances client experience through resources like an on-site small business lending library, added Fossler. The team’s visibility and leadership in the region have helped cement its role as a cornerstone of the Western Wisconsin business ecosystem.
With ongoing momentum in 2025—including the launch of its first Small Business Clinic, active participation in the Wisconsin Lenders Conference, and upcoming representation at national meeting—the River Falls SBDC is poised for even greater impact, reported Fossler.
Gina Ferraro, SBDC Wisconsin State Director, proudly handed the UW-River Falls SBDC team their award during the network meeting in Brookfield last week.
“Huge congratulations to the incredible team at UW-River Falls for being named Center of the Year,” said Ferraro. “Your dedication, creativity, and drive to go above and beyond have truly set you apart. From hitting key metrics to finding smart, innovative ways to help small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Wisconsin, you’ve shown what excellence looks like. We’re so proud to celebrate your hard work and well-deserved success!”
UW-River Falls’ SBDC flagship program – TheEntrepreneurial Training Program (ETPs) – guided 32 businesses through the process of developing vetted business plans and accurate financial projections, while a strong marketing and communications effort by the River Falls team amplified client stories and center success through consistent monthly newsletters, engaging social media, and high-quality outreach materials.
Team members regularly represented the center at key events hosted by the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center (SCVBIC), regional Chambers of Commerce, economic development partners, and even UW-Madison Extension—building trust, visibility, and new partnerships.
The SBDC at UW-River Falls office is located at 1091 Sutherland Avenue, UW-River Falls Campus, River Falls, WI, and provides high-quality consulting, robust educational programming, and trusted guidance to entrepreneurs across Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties.
About the Wisconsin SBDC
The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a nationally accredited 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 is hosted by the University of Wisconsin System under the Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. www.wisconsinSBDC.org
About the Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. www.sba.gov