Regional centers provide no-cost services to businesses throughout the state
St. Paul – The Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced the results of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to host SBDC regional centers throughout Minnesota. A total of nine regional hosts were selected, including seven returning SBDC regional hosts and two newly awarded regional hosts.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) in Moorhead is the new West Central regional host, and Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI) will serve as the new Southeast regional host. These nine SBDC regional centers (complete list below) will provide business services for a three-year period beginning January 1, 2023.
Another outcome of the RFP is that the African Development Center (ADC) will now cooperate with the University of St. Thomas Minneapolis Campus as a satellite center to bring SBDC services to the ADC network in the Twin Cities, Willmar, St. Cloud and Rochester.
“Minnesota’s Small Business Development Centers are an extraordinary resource for businesses throughout the state of Minnesota – and I don’t think enough small businesses know about them,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “We’re thrilled to expand their footprint in Greater Minnesota and to the African Development Center – making sure we reach people and businesses who face systemic barriers to growth.”
“The African Development Center is excited to work with the State and the University of St. Thomas to bring SBDC services to our clients and community,” said African Development Center CEO Nasibu Sareva. “Helping small business owners grow businesses and build wealth within their communities is the mission we have been fostering in the African communities of Minnesota since our inception.”
Created in 1979 to help small businesses start, grow and succeed, the SBDC offers one-on-one professional business consulting services, provides training to entrepreneurs and business owners and helps to secure investment capital for business ventures. The SBDC is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, DEED, these regional hosts and a variety of other local partners.
SBDC helps facilitate an economic environment that produces job growth and supports the economic success of individuals, businesses and communities. SBDC can help business owners identify new opportunities, increase profits, build resilience and greater stability, provide long-term growth and compete in the worldwide market. Services are available at no cost to clients anywhere throughout Minnesota.
“Hosting the regional SBDC office at M State will bring exciting opportunities to our students, our community partners, and anyone in the region with an interest in starting or growing a business,” said M State President Carrie Brimhall. “M State is uniquely suited to this task, with our long history of educating and serving students in the region as well as our proven success at building relationships with communities and working together with area businesses.”
Concordia College in Moorhead has been the SBDC West Central regional host since 2011 and will continue to host through the end of 2022. M State will serve as host beginning January 1, 2023.
On July 1, 2022, the Southeast SBDC transitioned its host of over 25 years from Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) to Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI). This transition will allow the SBDC to expand its offerings as it continues to serve business owners across southeast Minnesota through its network of sub-regional SBDC partners.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the southeast Minnesota SBDC,” said John Wade, President of RAEDI. “Bringing together the services of both organizations under one roof will enable us to better serve entrepreneurs in Rochester and across our 11-county region.”
You can find further information about the services provided by the SBDC, locate the service center nearest you, and register to receive consulting services at www.mnsbdc.com.
Visit DEED’s new Small Business Hub – our online one-stop-shop for everything you need to know about resources for small businesses. DEED’s Hub is where you can find the latest information about funding programs, view the five steps to starting a small business in Minnesota, learn about all the resources for small business owners, and more.
SBDC Regional Centers selected from the RFP process include:
| Region | Host Institution | Host City |
| Northwest | Northwest Minnesota Foundation | Bemidji |
| Northeast | Northland Foundation | Duluth |
| West Central | Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Moorhead |
| North Central | Central Lakes College | Brainerd |
| Central | St. Cloud State University | St. Cloud |
| Southwest | Southwest Minnesota State University | Marshall |
| South Central | Minnesota State University Mankato | Mankato |
| Southeast | Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. | Rochester |
| Twin Cities Metro | University of St. Thomas | Minneapolis Campus |