Celebrating 30 Years of NCCCS Small Business Centers!

MORGANTON– The Small Business Center Network of the NC Community College System (NCCCS) is celebrating 30 years of providing support and assistance to small businesses and start-ups across North Carolina. Small Business Centers (SBCs) are located at each of the state’s 58 community colleges, providing confidential business counseling and seminars to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Created in1984 when the North Carolina General Assembly funded 14 SBCs, the Small Business Center Network (SBCN) had expanded to include at least one SBC at each community college by 1995. Each year, the centers assist in starting an average of 650 businesses and help create and retain more than 3,000 jobs.

Today, with more than 60 sites, the Small Business Center Network is known as the most expansive state-funded technical small business assistance program in the United States with locations within a 30-minute drive of almost every North Carolinian.

“Celebrate with the Small Business Center Network as we move into a new year!” said Eddie McGimsey, director of Western Piedmont Community College’s (WPCC) Small Business Center. “Small Business Centers have an economic impact in 90% of all NC counties each year including helping to create and retain jobs. WPCC’s Small Business Center would like to thank Burke County residents for their valued support in the past, the present and in the future!”

WPCC’s SBC can guide area residents in the right direction whether in beginning a new business venture, expanding an existing business, or finding help with a business plan. The center is designed to help businesses succeed through additional training, one-on-one counseling, and providing clients with contacts and information. All of Western Piedmont’s SBC seminars and training opportunities are open to the public at no cost and designed to provide up-to-date information on business topics.

The mission of the Small Business Centers is to increase the success rate and number of viable small businesses in North Carolina by providing high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners, with the goal of job creation and retention.

For more information on WPCC’s Small Business Center, contact McGimsey at (828) 448-6719 and emcgimsey@wpcc.edu.