The NC Community Colleges Small Business Center Network (SBCN) is our state’s largest state-supported small business assistance initiative. Started in 1984 with the funding of eight small business centers by the North Carolina General Assembly, by 1995 at least one Small Business Center was established at each of the 58 community colleges. Currently, the Network has 60 sites throughout the state with Centers conveniently located within a 30-minute drive of every North Carolinian. At the core of its vision, the Small Business Center Network is positioned to focus on entrepreneurship, small business and economic development with an emphasis on assisting start-ups, early stage, and businesses seeking disaster assistance or seeking to stabilize. Our unique structure allows ease of access and unparalleled knowledge of and linkages within local communities. We collaborate with Federal, State and local entities to help business owners get the most current information needed to start and successfully operate their enterprises. Potential or existing small business owners can take advantage of high quality, readily accessible assistance that includes:

• Free, confidential one-on-one business counseling services
• Resource and referral information for a variety of business needs
• High-impact seminars and classes available free of charge or for a minimal registration fee

Our Center staff understands the unique economic situations of North Carolina’s diverse communities and regions, and they provide services customized to meet those as well as specific business needs. Experienced business counselors are available to help with:

• Entrepreneurial Assessment
• Entrepreneurship Training
• Business Plan Development
• Sources of Capital and Loan Preparation
• Marketing Assistance
• Biotechnology-related Business Questions
• International Trade
• Government Procurement

The objective of the Small Business Center Network (SBCN) is to increase the success rate and the number of viable small businesses in North Carolina by providing high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners which will lead to job creation and retention. Each Small Business Center (SBC) will be a community-based provider of education and training, counseling, referral and information.