The Larimer Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will receive a $20,000 grant from the Fort Collins-based Blue Ocean Foundation. The funding will support the SBDC’s work with local small business owners, allowing the center to help more businesses in Larimer County. This is the largest non-governmental grant the center has received to date.
The Larimer SBDC stimulates the local economy with its business training resources, such as free one-on-one consulting and a wide variety of business classes. “The number of clients we’re assisting has almost doubled in the last five years, so this award from BOF enables us help more entrepreneurs,” said Director Mike OConnell.
The foundation—which is the philanthropic arm of Blue Ocean Enterprises—supports Larimer and Weld County organizations that produce healthy economic impact and entrepreneurialism via its “Give to Grow” mission. The companies and organizations that Blue Ocean invests in share common traits—including an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and innovation.
“Starting and operating a business is challenging, and we’re happy to support organizations like the SBDC that can help local small businesses succeed,” said the Blue Ocean Foundation’s Founder Nancy Richardson.
As a local entrepreneur and philanthropist, Nancy Richardson is committed to the communities in which she lives and works. “This grant demonstrates the strength of Nancy’s commitment to supporting the local economy in Larimer County,” added OConnell. “These funds will make a real impact for the SBDC’s clients.”
The Larimer SBDC has been hosted and sponsored by FRCC for 32 years.
About the Larimer SBDC
In 2018, the Larimer SBDC helped 61 businesses get started—a record high and No.1 in the state out of 14 SBDC centers. The center also helped local clients grow their sales by $24.8 million—and helped clients secure $18 million in capital funding (also a record high and top in the state).
About Front Range Community College
FRCC offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs from locations in Boulder County, Larimer County, Westminster, Brighton, and online. FRCC is a member of the Colorado Community College System.
About the Colorado Community College System
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, serving 138,000 students annually at 13 colleges and 39 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities.
