SBDC’s newly hired director, Gary A. Liddle said the re-establishment will “re-acquaint” businesses with the services and assistance the center offers.
Liddle said the open house, slated from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, is a result of a partnership between Commerce, the Commonwealth Development Authority, the University of Guam and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“We are inviting existing business owners and would-be business operators to come and visit us today for the open house because we want to know how we can help you,” Liddle said.
The open house will give people a chance to look at possible business prospects, get assistance if they want to expand and improve existing businesses, or improve customer services.
If developing businesses need a loan, SBDC can help them process it.
“We want to send the message that we are here to help small businesses get started, or improve existing businesses because few people realize that they can get help for their businesses,” Liddle said.
Realizing the importance of small businesses to the overall economy, Liddle said it is the responsibility of SBDC to provide the services and expertise that can “help the CNMI small business community grow and thrive.”
The SBDC office at Northern Marianas College closed 10 years ago. Before its re-establishment, the CNMI was the only jurisdiction in Micronesia that did not have an SBDC.
In its earlier statement, SBDC said the services it offers include business development counseling, access to business planning materials, access to a computer lab for purposes of business development, as well as assistance with attaining financing for qualified small businesses.
A small businesses has less than 500 employees, Liddle said, and almost every business in the CNMI falls under this category.
Liddle, who brings with him over 10 years experience in working with small businesses within the SBDC context, arrived on island just a month ago.
In a workshop held for small businesses owners at the Pacific Islands Club early this month, Commerce Secretary Michael B. Ada said small businesses could help the CNMI economy get back on its feet.
Ada at the same time noted that banks in the CNMI were not lending to small businesses.
“What we are going to do next is to work in partnership with the banks in the CNMI and other relevant federal agencies to come up with a collaborative plan to extend lending to the small businesses in the CNMI,” he added.
He said is the obligation of his department to ensure that small businesses in the community receive the resources they need in order to grow.
Ada said early next month, they will be meeting with banks, the Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to discuss increasing small business lending in the CNMI.
SBDC, for its part, will offer an ongoing program of workshops, conferences and seminars to meet the specific needs of local small businesses.
For more information, visit www.commerce.gov.mp, e-mail [email protected], or call 664-3018.
