California Small Business Development Center Program Earns Federal Certification; Program is Commended as Model for Other States.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 1999--

Trade and Commerce Agency Secretary Lon Hatamiya today applauded the California Small Business Development Center (CSBDC) Program for receiving federal certification by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Secretary Hatamiya commended California's program today during the luncheon keynote speech at the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) fall conference in San Diego. The conference -- which attracts more than 1,000 small business development center experts nationwide -- is designed to provide attendees with the latest developments in eCommerce, fiscal management, marketing and technology.

"The CSBDC Program partners have aggressively addressed the key issues facing California's small business sector. Their hard work and dedication to the small business community has brought all of California a just reward--federal certification," Secretary Hatamiya said. "This certified program will continue to provide even greater counseling and training resources for business entrepreneurs and growing small businesses, and the success of small business is vital to maintaining a strong California economy."

Also addressing the conference today is Darryl Dennis, Associate Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The CSBDC Program provides high quality management and technical assistance to California's small business sector, serving as mentor, consultant, and counselor to entrepreneurs and growing businesses that might not otherwise seek such expertise. Primarily the U.S. Small Business Administration, the California Trade and Commerce Agency, and the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges fund the Program. Participating businesses receive services at 48 full-time and over 60 part-time CSBDC offices throughout the State.

California's program in 1999 has assisted 13,031 companies, resulting in more than 1,600 jobs created or retained.

To receive federal funding for small business development, a state must become certified with the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). Every four years, the ASBDC under the direction of the U.S. Small Business Administration, conducts a program review of each state's small business development center program. In late July, a three-member ASBDC certification team certified California's SBDC Program.

The certification team noted the California program's approach in partnering with other California state entities and in addressing key issues. They noted that the cooperative funding partnership has worked exceptionally well and is to be commended as a model for other states with multiple funding partners. The team also praised the Program for providing a work plan with an outstanding basis for review and assessment of performance, outcomes and effectiveness.

More than 1,000 Small Business Development Center professionals nationally participated in the four-day conference, which commenced October 2. The conference concludes Tuesday with the naming of the 1999 ASBDC Star Performer Awards -- SBDC representatives who will be recognized for outstanding service and client satisfaction.

The California Small Business Development Center Program is part of the Office of Small Business within the California Trade and Commerce Agency, the state's lead agency for business attraction and expansion, and job creation.