Metropolitan Community College’s business development education programs offered at the MCC at The Ashton location have received a federal designation as a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA designation integrates the MCC SBDC into a national network of approximately 1,000 centers dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and small business growth.

A ribbon cutting and open house event on Wednesday, May 6, from 10 a.m.-noon at the MCC at The Ashton location (1106 N. 12th St.) will celebrate the new community resource — the second federally designated SBDC in Nebraska. The event, which coincides with National Small Business Month, is free and open to the public.

By joining the SBA network, the MCC SBDC can provide small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with greater access to free and low-cost entrepreneurship education, services and resources.

Dr. Marla Ashe, executive director of the MCC SBDC, said supporting small business owners is critical to workforce development. According to U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, 99% of Nebraska businesses are small businesses, providing more than 48% of jobs in the state.

“The MCC Small Business Development Center is designed to be a place where people who have the aspirations and skills to open their own businesses can find the resources, education and partners they need to be successful,” Ashe said.

The MCC SBDC provides free, 1-on-1 consulting services on topics like business planning, financial projections, access to capital, marketing strategy, operations and regulatory compliance. Trained business advisors work directly with clients to develop growth strategies and navigate challenges at every stage of business development. Nocost and low-cost workshops on essential topics such as e-commerce, management and legal issues are also offered.

Daphne Cook, director of the MCC SBDC, said business education courses at the center are designed to be flexible for busy entrepreneurs. MCC SBDC programming can also be tailored to address local business needs.

“We want the people to get the training they need when they need it while having the flexibility to focus on other priorities for their business when they need to,” Cook said.

Following the ribbon cutting event, a series of presentations that highlight resources available for the public will begin at the top of each hour, starting at 11 a.m. The open house wraps up with a networking event and tours at 3 p.m. Sessions will cover the following topics:

  • 11 a.m. — How to Become a Client of the MCC SBDC
  • Noon — FastTrac Entrepreneurship and Business Education Program
  • 1 p.m. — Navigating Resources
  • 2 p.m. — Access to Capital
  • 3 p.m. — Networking and Tours

“We encourage every small business owner, aspiring entrepreneur and anyone considering starting a business to join us for the grand opening,” Ashe said. “This is an opportunity to discover how our center can help turn business ideas into reality and support existing businesses in reaching their full potential.”

Visit mccneb.edu/SBDC for more information or to view courses.