About the ASBDC
The Alabama Small Business Development Center network is a statewide, inter-institutional program to enhance economic growth in Alabama by providing management and technical assistance to small businesses. Certified business counselors are available in 12 Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located at our member university partners across the state.
ASBDC members include SBDCs at Alabama A & M University, Alabama State University, Auburn University, Jacksonville State University, Troy University, University of Alabama, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of North Alabama, University of South Alabama, and University of West Alabama. Find an office near you.
Employment
When a position at the ASBDC becomes available, it will be advertised on the UA Jobs Website. Positions at our sub-centers will be filled via their respective host institution.
Counseling and Technical Assistance
ASBDC counselors assisted 3,044 clients in starting their small business or expanding their existing efforts in FY2008. Our counseling is provided free of charge to all small businesses. The ASBDC held 380 training workshops and seminars in FY2008 with 11,559 attendees. ASBDC is committed to the development of a highly skilled workforce that will sustain Alabama's economic vitality. Funding your small business is easier with the ASBDC on your side. ASBDC centers held 93 statewide seminars related to business financing in FY2008. This assistance aided small businesses in obtaining more than $24.2 million in financing.
Government Procurement
The Procurement Technical Assistance Program of Alabama assists Alabama businesses in obtaining local, state and federal government contracts using a bid match program which helps business owners gain an edge in selling to the government. Our Government Procurement specialists have assisted their clients in obtaining over $1.7 billion in government contracts in FY2007, which has helped to create or retain approximately 35,000 jobs for Alabama workers. www.al-ptac.org
International Trade
The International Trade Center team of professionals works one-on-one with small businesses to increase export sales and boost the state's economy. The center has assisted over 8,000 clients since its beginning in 1979. www.aitc.ua.edu
What is an SBDC?
A Small Business Development Center (SBDC) counsels and trains business people in a wide variety of business topics and provides comprehensive information services and access to experts in many fields. Counseling is provided free of charge to small business owners. SBDCs develop and maintain partnerships among community organizations and local, state and federal agencies, providing a focal point for a broad network of public and private resources at the community level. SBDC partnership programs and activities serving small businesses have contributed significantly to economic growth in Alabama and across the nation.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers the overall SBDC program while implementation of each state program rests with the SBDC State Director and the participating organizations within the state. The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency administers the Procurement Technical Assistance Program which is supported by the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network. In Alabama, 10 state universities host SBDCs. The Advisory Board of the ASBDC is composed of members of the small business community. The Alabama Small Business Development Center Network began operating in 1980. The Alabama SBDCs make up 12 of the over 1100 SBDC service centers nationwide. SBDCs are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa.
