Rose State College Expands Small Business Development Center Published June 11, 2020

Center to help Oklahoma small businesses with specialized advisors

OKLAHOMA (June 9, 2020) – To help businesses recover in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Rose State College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is expanding services. In addition to working with small business owners and entrepreneurs at no cost to provide general business consulting assistance, the center will offer specialized advisors in aerospace, cyber security, government contracts and business disruption. 

“Rose State has provided resources that have aided in the development and growth of our local community for decades,” Rose State College President Dr. Jeanie Webb said. “Many people and businesses have suffered from the impact of COVID-19, but Oklahomans know how to bounce back from a crisis. Rose State’s Small Business Development Center is here to help our local small business and entrepreneurs facilitate our state’s recovery.” 

The SBDC office provides one-on-one counseling, research and referral services for small business owners and entrepreneurs. It also provides monthly workshops, conferences and management seminars. SBDC advisors can help business owners with business plan development, marketing assessments, cost analysis, financial analysis, capital resources, accounting and more. 

 “The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center network remains committed to assisting Oklahoma's economy grow and thrive,” said Michele Campbell-Hockersmith, State Director, Oklahoma Small Business Development Center. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges and the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center network has been vital to the effort in helping small businesses mitigate this disaster.  We are excited about the opportunity to expand our efforts with Rose State College and grow this important and valued partnership.”

The funding for the Center expansion was made available through the federal CARES Act. The Center is expected to be fully operational with all specialists on-board and ready to assist clients by August 1.

“As a resource for businesses in Oklahoma, I can say with certainty that our state’s small businesses are looking for help as our economy recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis,” said Brent Kisling, Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “I am thankful that institutions like Rose State and the Small Business Development Center are expanding their services to work with more businesses and entrepreneurs. We’ve all seen the Oklahoma Standard come forth in times of crisis. This is another of those times and I’m proud to see Oklahomans finding ways to work together.”

“During this time of economic hardship, many businesses are searching for opportunities to survive,” Webb said. “Our mission is to aid business owners in developing plans for growth and revitalization as our economy reopens. We hope to guide them toward available resources and new industries that can help their companies succeed.”

The Rose State Small Business Development Center is located on campus at the Professional Training Center. For more information call (405) 733-7483 or visit us at oksbdc.org.

The Oklahoma Small Business Development Centers are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.