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Dramatically Increasing Impact: University Program Co-location with Community Partners

Dramatically Increasing Impact: University Program Co-location with Community Partners. Connie Edwards - Business Consultant The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center. Small Business Assistance Resources in Savannah (SBARS)

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Dramatically Increasing Impact: University Program Co-location with Community Partners

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  1. Dramatically Increasing Impact: University Program Co-locationwith Community Partners Connie Edwards - Business Consultant The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center

  2. Small Business Assistance Resources in Savannah (SBARS) • Loose collaboration of organizations that each worked to provide services to small businesses • Small Business Assistance Corporation, Savannah Chamber, SBDC, Savannah Tech, Georgia Tech, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Small Business Chamber, City of Savannah Background

  3. Directors of these organizations met quarterly • Discuss missions, goals, services, activities calendars of events • Understand each other’s abilities, territories, strengths, weaknesses • Avoid competing and duplication of services • Look for ways to collaborate – workshops, expos SBARS Activities

  4. SBARS members began to discuss and explore what they could do together strategically for the small business community • Co-locate to form a resource center for small businesses • Small Business Assistance Corporation’s Director began to explore purchasing a building in the Savannah Historic District Beginnings

  5. Before purchasing building, SBAC offered tenancy to organizations in SBARS • Asked for commitments to lease • Savannah UGA SBDC Director worked with The University of Georgia and SBAC to get commitment • Took some persuading Opportunity

  6. Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC) • The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) • Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) • Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)– until 2005 • U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center – beginning 2005 Participants

  7. Referrals • Co-consulting • Co-sponsored workshops • Cooperative research such as needs assessment • Cooperative marketing efforts • Shared booths/tables at business expos • Small Business Resource Center events Activities

  8. Availability of needed capital is a critical factor in small business success • UGA SBDC assisted small businesses with acquiring $1.6 million in funding in 1997 • Since co-location funding has averaged $5.6 million per year for a total of $78.6 million since 1997 • Average is 3.5 times more than amount in 1997 Impact

  9. Small Business Administration (SBA) Vision 2000 Award as a National Model for Excellence – Access to Capital • Savannah - Fourth in the nation for business startup for small metropolitan areas • Added accessibility for small businesses • Added value for small businesses Impact(continued)

  10. Improved export consulting due to collaboration of Georgia SBDC Network International Trade Division with Export Assistance Center • Increased number of export related loans • Increased university’s visibility in the community • Increased continuing education attendees Impact(continued)

  11. Link small businesses with other university resources • Sharing of resources to better serve small businesses • Increased performance levels • Improved client base for more impact from consulting Impact(continued)

  12. Representatives from other communities visit and tour the facility to learn about the model • Co-location of UGA SBDC and Coastal Area District Development Authority (CADDA) in Brunswick • Co-location of Georgia SBDC Network International Trade Division with U.S. Export Assistance Center in Atlanta Impact(continued)

  13. To receive by email the following: • “Lessons Learned” • Presentation Slides • Contact information for Organization Directors Leave your business card with me Or email: cedwards@georgiasbdc.org Or call: 912-651-3200

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