The Larimer Small Business Development Center (SBDC) released its 2015 economic impact results, and related business education metrics. “Our clients enjoyed sales increases of a record $9.0M, up 70% from 2014, “ said Mike O’Connell, Larimer SBDC Director. “It was an excellent and exciting year,” he added.
Through its relationships with commercial banks, micro-lenders, and other resource partners, the SBDC also helped match client funding needs with financial providers. “We helped clients harness $6.7M of capital formation for business growth, almost double last year’s number” commented O’Connell.
The Larimer SBDC also helped 21 new businesses start, and its clients created/retained over 550 jobs in 2015.
“Working with the SBDC has been crucial to my success”, says Kelsie Schwager, owner of the Fernweh Inn & Hostel in Fort Collins. “As a small business, who wouldn’t want this help?” The SBDC consulted with 600 clients, 50% more than the 2013 client base. Almost 20% of these clients were women, veteran, or minority-owned businesses.
“Our consultants did a fantastic job of providing both general and specialized business advice. We also conducted 70 training classes covering financial, marketing, business planning, and business start-up processes; as well as industry-specific events for our restaurant, retail, and health and wellness clients,” added Terri Donovan-Keirns, Larimer SBDC Program Coordinator.
The Larimer SBDC is hosted locally by Front Range Community College. The SBDC provides free one-on-one confidential consulting conducted by experienced business professionals, conducts business trainings/workshops, and provides connection to useful business resources. The Larimer SBDC is located in The Innosphere business incubator at 320 East Vine, Fort Collins Colorado. For further information, please see their website at www.larimersbdc.org , or call 970-498-9295.
