10/25/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After a lengthy and intense examination process, the West Virginia Small Business Development Center has received full accreditation by the national accrediting agency, the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC).
On Sept. 20, 2011, the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) Network was notified by the National Accreditation Committee that the statewide network of 14 WVSBDC offices met all conditions and criteria for full accreditation by the national accrediting agency.
“Accreditation is critical for the WVSBDC to secure continued funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration and is also essential for the national SBDC program to be recognized as a high quality economic development organization,” said Kristina Oliver, state director of the WVSBDC. “No other publicly-funded program undergoes the accountability examinations and review that SBDCs receive to ensure management strength, financial accountability and economic impact.”
The accrediting committee is comprised of 20 state and national SBDC directors and associate directors who examine SBDCs against a comprehensive set of standards that determine a quality program.
Complimented during the review was WVSBDC’s new training and business coaching program: Three-Step Jump Start. Three-Step Jump Start helps entrepreneurs and small business owners in West Virginia receive the right information at the right time and accelerate their potential success by learning the structure and services provided by WVSBDC.
Step 1 is to watch an online video that explains services provided by WVSBDC. Step 2 is to attend the Fundamentals workshop or the Sustainable Growth workshop. Step 3 is to schedule an appointment with WVSBDC for one-on-one business coaching.
For more information, call the WVSBDC Business Ask Me! Line at 888-982-7232 or visit
www.wvsbdc.org.
The WVSBDC is part of the West Virginia Development Office and creates economic impact through offering entrepreneurs and small businesses cost-effective business coaching and technical assistance. The West Virginia SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Contact Information
Kristina Oliver
888-982-7232