Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network
The Isenberg School is state headquarters for the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) network, a federal-state partnership that provides free, confidential one-to-one management and technical assistance counseling and low-cost educational training programs to prospective and existing small businesses throughout Massachusetts. There is an MSBDC counseling or satellite office within 30 minutes of any business in the state. The MSBDC offers specialized services involving capital formation, minority business assistance, business and industry data, international trade, and technical assistance in obtaining government procurements and contracts.
The MSBDC Network provides counseling and training assistance to over 9,000 clients each year. In 2006, its services helped secured over $37 million in small business loans ($8.7 million for women and $2.8 million for minority clients), and over $115 million in federal procurement contracts for Massachusetts businesses. At the same time, it also contributed to creating and retaining nearly 900 jobs in Massachusetts as a direct result of financing.
The MSBDC provides internships for Isenberg School students and has an impact in the classroom. MSBDC counselors teach a popular Isenberg School course that highlights their experiences with real businesses. Students in the School's senior-year capstone strategy course do case projects that sometimes involve MSBDC clients.
For further information about the MSBDC and its programs, visit the center’s website at: http://www.msbdc.org
or contact
Georgianna Parkin, State Director
413-545-6301
gep@msbdc.umass.edu