EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network has been awarded national accreditation without conditions by its national association, America’s SBDC.
Oregon SBDC Network State Director Mark Gregory commented on the achievement: “The Oregon SBDC Network is proud of the superior work and processes validated by our senior accreditation team, using world class Baldridge-based quality standards. Together, our Network has built world class business assistance services across Oregon.”
Every five years nationwide SBDC networks are required to go through an accreditation process implemented by the Accreditation Committee of America’s SBDC. America’s SBDC represents the nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers—the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories. Hosted by leading universities, colleges and state economic development agencies, and funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nearly 1,000 service centers are available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training.
SBA District Director Camron Doss offered the Network congratulations, saying, “The SBDCs are an essential part of economic development in local communities. SBDC advisors help entrepreneurs realize the dream of business ownership. The SBA salutes the Oregon SBDC Network on this accomplishment and appreciates the partnership.”
Hosted by Lane Community College, the Network received praise from President Mary Spilde: “I am very proud of the Oregon SBDC Network for earning accreditation without conditions—it’s a significant accomplishment. They’ve been based at Lane since 1983, and their work has always been outstanding. This most recent accreditation is a tribute to Mark Gregory and his team for their hard work and enduring focus on the success of the small businesses served by the Oregon SBDC Network.”
Last November, Oregon SBDC staff and advisors met with the accreditation team comprised of regional and state SBDC directors: Al Salgado, Southwest Texas SBDC (Team Lead), Michael Myhre, Florida SBDC, and Katie Sewell, Idaho SBDC. The accreditation process requires the state network to meet a rigorous set of Baldridge based accreditation standards developed and deployed in cooperation with the SBA.
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