The mission of the Central Lakes College Small Business Development Center is to improve economic growth in Minnesota by providing assistance to small businesses in order to increase the number of new business start-ups, expand existing small businesses, and reduce the number of small business failures.

This will, in turn, preserve and create new jobs and economic opportunities for many Minnesotans. All services are confidential and are low cost or no cost. Information services and initial business counseling are free. Minimal fees are charged for seminars, workshops, cash flows, and market research.

There are now 22 Centers in Minnesota. The Department of Employment and Economic Development is the lead institution for the SBDC Consortium.

Each Small Business Development Center offers the following services and resources
Business counseling is provided by professional consultants, school faculty, and qualified volunteers to identify goals and resolve problems.

Business training seminars focus on current business issues.

Business & Web resources available in the Center include a business information library of periodicals, books, and reference material; microcomputers and business software; and web links to help locate other resources

Specialized programs give attention to the needs of minority, veteran, disadvantaged, and women business owners. In addition, programs are offered in government procurement, hazardous waste management, invention and innovation, international trade, finance and business management and operations.

Services available for Small Business:
• Business Planning
• Marketing & Sales
• Financial Analysis
• Operations Research & Efficiency
• International Trade
• Patent and Trademark
• Loan Packaging
• Sources of Capital
• Procurement

Contact Us

Rebecca Best
Dean of Workforce, Economic & Regional Development
218-855-8143 rbest@clcmn.edu

Greg Bergman
Director
218-855-8145 gbergman@clcmn.edu

Julie Platta
Program Coordinator
218-855-8239 jplatta@clcmn.edu

Jan Sterner
B&I Center Receptionist
218-855-8142 jsterner@clcmn.edu

Joe Hesch
Cambridge Outreach Site
Anoka Ramsey Community College-Cambridge Campus
763-433-1862 joe.hesch@anokaramsey.edu

 

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and regional support partners. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the program sponsors. Programs are open to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 1-800-933-0346, ext. 8128.