North Carolina Community College System’s

1. North Carolina Community College System’s Hope ● Opportunity ● Jobs

2. SBCN MISSION 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 and their employees. Each SBC will be a community based provider of education and training, counseling, information and referral.

3. SBCN Today The most extensive state funded small business assistance program in the nation

4. SBC Website

6. History of SBCN • 1984 – State Funded first 13 SBCs (categorical funds) • 1995 – SBC at each of the 58 Community Colleges • 1998 – NC Community College State Board Approved SBCN Guidelines • 2001 – SBCN Awards for Excellence • 2005 – Received $1 million additional funding • 2007 – New Guidelines

7. Small Business Center Network • SBC’s at each of the 58 Community Colleges • Some SBCs have multiple sites or satellite offices • SBC within 30 minute drive of every North Carolinian • 100% State Funded through NC Legislature • Colleges may provide additional funding or support.

8. SBCN Organization WESTERN REGION Dean Kanipe McDowell Community College CENTRAL REGION Ken Dillo Wake Technical Community College EASTERN REGION Anne Shaw Coastal Carolina Community College

9. SBC Purpose Economic and Workforce Development • Job Creation • Increase success rate and number of profitable small businesses • Education and Training • Counseling • Information and Referral • NOT FTE Centered!

10. SBC Funding • $5,398,848 to SBCs • Base Allocation is $81,906 • Eligible for more based on performance • Allocations to colleges range from $83,606 to $103,306

11. SBC Directors • BA Degree • Three or more years business experience in ownership or management or • Advanced degree in business related field (Entrepreneurship, MBA, Accounting, Law) • No bankruptcies within 7 years • Exceptions rare and circumstances documented IN WRITING in personnel file

12. SBC Directors • Professional Credentials Levels 1 – 3: • 32 SBC Directors – Level 3 Certification • 10 SBC Directors – Level 2 • 9 SBC Directors – Level 1

13. SBCN Services • One-on-one Confidential Counseling • Seminars/Workshops and mini-courses • Resource Center

14. One on one Counseling • Free • Confidential One-on-one • Scheduled appointments of one hour • FY 08-09 - 5,780 clients 94% satisfaction

16. WHO is the SBCN Customer? Counseling Client: • Equal M/F • Sole Proprietor • Business Startup • Business Plan Development • Sources of Capital • Encouraged to pursue other options • Referred to appropriate next step

17. Seminars /Workshops • Free or nominal cost • Responsive to community • “Core” Offerings offered twice yearly • FY 08-09 • 3,834 SBC Seminars • 1,322 FTE Courses -55,929 SBC Attendees -10,548 FTE Attendees -66,477 Total Attendees Colleges required to utilize $9,000/$7,000 funds for instruction (Cut in 08-09)

18. Core Curriculum • Offer at least two times per year • How to Start a Business • Financing Your Small Business • How to Write a Business Plan • Market Research and Marketing • Record Keeping and Taxes • NC REAL curriculum includes all topics

19. Special Programming • REAL Enterprises • Export Assistance • Incubators • Micro-Lending • GATE • Business Success in Tough Times / SBTDC • Part of 12 in 6 JobsNOW Initiatives

20. WHO is the SBCN Customer? • Seminar Attendees • Predominately Female (63%) • Caucasian (66%) • Service, Retail, Manufacturing, Construction, Wholesale • Exploring, Start-up, Expanding (53%) • Operating Business (47%)

21. Resource Centers • Books • Handouts • Videos • DVDs • Up to Date Resources, Computer and Internet Access

22. Evaluation and Measurement Standards • SBCN Annual Report • SBCN Evaluation/Site Visit (every 4 years) • NCCCS Education Program • Auditor’s Review (as needed) • Satisfaction data tracked and acted upon • Excellent SBC’s

23. Small Business Center Network (SBCN) Community Partners Small Business Technology & Development Center BLNC - Department of Commerce Rural Center Business Resource Alliance Cooperative Extension Service NC REAL Enterprises Small Business Administration (SBA) SCORE NC Military Business Center Self Help Credit Union NCCCS, February 2005

24. Small Business Center Network (SBCN) State and National Partners NACCE Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) Kauffman Foundation North Carolina Department of Administration (HUB) North Carolina Department Agriculture (Agritourism) North Carolina Department Commerce (Export Ready) North Carolina Department of Labor (OSHA) North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center North Carolina Business Incubator Association NCCCS, February 2005

25. Excellent Partners SBC/SBTDC MOU signed in 2007 Business Success in Tough Times Seminars Kaufmann initiative in Charlotte region Reciprocal referrals

26. SBCN Guidelines are the official “word” on what to do and not do regarding SBC programs and funds SBCN Guidelines last revised in 2007 Three year implementation cycle Guidelines, Policies, and Procedures 26

27. Telephone Log Knowledgeable of other service providers Community Involvement IS part of their job Chambers of Commerce Economic Development Entities Banks and Financial Institutions Accounting, Legal, other private service providers Other educational entities Inquiries and Linkages 27

28. Funds will NOT be used to produce FTE except SBCN approved entrepreneurship offerings. Full-time Director Only SBC duties and responsibilities SBC Director WILL administer all SBC activities and develop relationships with business community Must use State Logo, SBC Name, etc. Advisory Committee Local Responsibilities 28

29. Dedicated site – readily accessible Office Area for Confidential Counseling SBC location, facilities, equipment, signage, internet access, website, and other support shall be equal to that provided other MAJOR programs SBC Facilities 29

30. Seminars coded self supporting Distinction between SBC using SBC funds, other regular budget funds, other self supporting funds SBC Annual Report (July 1 – June 30) due July Annual report must include financial recap, signed by the President Reporting 30

31. NCCCS Education Program Auditor’s Review SBC Annual Report SBC “on site” review (every four years) Excellent Small Business Center of the year Evaluation 31

32. SBCN Director or VP Economic Workforce Development recommendation NCCCS President decision SBCN Director forms Performance Enhancement Team to develop Performance Enhancement Plan Re-evaluate within one year NCCCS President recommend to state board not to provide funding Local College can re-apply after one year Performance Enhancement Process 32

33. Subject to Subchapter 2D $9,000 MINIMUM for seminars/workshops Performance Based Funding – recomputed every two years Currently seminar/workshop attendance, FTE attendees, counseling clients, # small business, # sites Proposed changes includes jobs created, increases in profit, capital investment, excludes FTE efforts. Funding 33

34. On the Horizon SBTDC/SBC leadership at NC Department of Commerce Scott Daugherty – Commissioner of Small Business Dr. George Millsaps – Assistant Commissioner of Small Business

35. Questions? 35