NIU’s Small Business Development Center was recently awarded a grant of $44,000, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.

The SBDC is a member of the Illinois Small Business Development Center network, which has been administered by the Small Business Assistance Bureau since 1984. Last year, the program received national certification by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The program is a collaboration among the Illinois DCCA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, local governments, universities, colleges and private organizations. The 52 centers are located at various educational institutions and economic development agencies throughout the state.

The SBDC program provides business management, technological, financial and training assistance needs for Illinois small businesses. In the past year, the program counseled more than 9,100 and trained more than 6,000 clients statewide.

It also helped create or retain nearly 6,400 jobs and helped secure loans for clients in the amount of $37,542,000.

DCCA Deputy Director Bill Rodman expressed his pleasure with the calibur of assistance offered by the SBDC.

“Northern Illinois University SBDC, as well as the other Small Business Development Centers, has done a great job in assisting small businesses,” Rodman said. “DCCA is happy to be a partner in this program.

“Small businesses are an incredibly important part of Illinois’ economy,” he said. “With this funding, the centers can continually serve and assist this vital part of the economy so their clients can succeed in the future.”

Jeff Mitchell, SBDC statewide director, said “the greatest benefit of the Small Business Development Center is that they bring together two of Illinois’ greatest resources—small business owners and our nationally recognized programs. Together, successes are developed.”

The grant’s funding is provided through a partnership between the Small Business Assistance Bureau and the U.S. Small Business Administration and is a renewal of a yearly award to the members of the SBDC network.

NIU’s SBDC director Larry Rouse said he is grateful.

“The funding has been a great help to continually assist our clients in the best possible manner,” he said. “On behalf of Northern, I would like to thank the DCCA for all their assistance.”

Because the grant can be as low as $10,000, the amount of NIU’s grant could be a result of the numbers they have put up. In 1990, the SBDC provided 12,000 hours of consultation, developed loan programs exceeding $9.6 million and created 85 area jobs.

SBDC will use the money to continue providing management consultation to starting or existing area businesses.