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Help for small businesses is on the way

By Rebecca Schwarz Koff

In an effort to bring the services of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to smaller communities in the state, Jeff Davis, of the SBDC, is coming to Point Roberts. to speak at the February Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

ÒHow business can survive, then grow and prosper,Ó Davis responded, when asked what information he will share.

According to Davis, the SBDC offers free, confidential consulting services and support to start-up and existing small businesses in Whatcom county, as well as Skagit and Island counties. The organization develops solutions to business problems and offers consulting and technical assistance, as well as research.

One of the key ideas Davis will bring with him to Point Roberts is the eventual installation of a SBDC satellite office in Point Roberts.

ÒI want to share the role that SBDC can play. You shouldnÕt have to go to Bellingham all of the time to get service,Ó he said. ÒA satellite office will better serve the Point Roberts community. The SBDC is an office full of deep research.Ó

The meeting, scheduled for February 20 at Brewsters, starts at noon and Davis said the presentation will last about 30 minutes, with plenty of time for questions and answers to follow.

Davis, who once owned a Seattle-based business that offered consulting to small countries and companies, has an MBA in marketing and was an adjunct professor at three universities. He has lived and worked overseas, in such places as Asia and Africa, for a quarter of his life.

The SBDC is funded by Western Washington UniversityÕs College Of Business and Economics, as well as the Small Business Administration, the City of Bellingham, Lynden, Sumas, and community and client donations. More than 2,000 clients were served from 1996-2001.

For more information, visit the SBDC Web site at
www. cbe.wwu.edu/sbdc or call 360/733-4014.

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