Eugene, OR - Governor John Kitzhaber presented the Lane Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) with two National Small Business Administration Awards, in a ceremony held at the State Capitol building, on August 27, 2012. The highly coveted district regional awards for Center Excellence and Innovation for 2012 were accepted by Shirl Meads, the center's operations manager; Gary Smith, the center's signature Small Business Management program instructor and coach; and Jim Lindly, the center's director. Lane has received the awards for consistently displaying outstanding commitment in service delivery and for catalyzing innovative approaches to training and advising, for Lane County business owners and their employees. Lane's SBDC has been helping the area's successful businesses become even more successful for over 30 years.
The two individuals called out for special distinction in the award are Gary Smith and Shirl Meads. They have worked together at the center for the last six years. Their joint efforts, in developing programs to meet the needs of the business community, have honed the services offered in the Small Business Management program to award-winning levels. Smith's presence with the LCC SBDC is a mark of distinction for the center. The instructor/business advisor has managed and owned multiple successful businesses, which have thrived through the recession. Smith offers business instruction and coaching to the community, through the SBM program, at a fraction of the cost businesses would normally pay. As instructor and coach for the SBM program, he shares his knowledge and experience with program participants through written materials, personalized lectures, and one-on-one coaching. With his assistance, new or established businesses have the opportunity to grow: via the shared knowledge of Gary, seasoned entrepreneur staff advisors, and their peers in the program.
Registration for fall classes, workshops, and programs are being accepted now. Course offerings for fall term run September through December 2012. Year-long programs, such as the signature SBM program, run October 2012 through June 2013. Class and program listings are posted online at www.lanesbdc.com and www.bizcenter.org. Schedules are also available at the LCC Small Business Development Center office, located at the Wildish Building, 1445 Willamette St., Eugene, OR 97401. For information on registration, cost and other program and workshop details, contact the LCC SBDC at (541) 463-5255.
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For more information contact:
Jim Lindly, director, Lane Community College, Small Business Development Center, (541) 463-4621 or lindlyj@lanecc.edu