New York SBDC Receives National Accreditation from Association of Small Business Development Centers
November 16, 2016
Albany – State University of New York Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright today announced that the New York Small Business Development Center (NY SBDC) has earned full accreditation from the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), a national accrediting body for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The NY SBDC also received accreditation for its specialized Technology Services, one of only 15 programs in the country to earn this supplemental technology accreditation.
The NY SBDC provides expert management and technical assistance to start-up and existing small businesses across the state. The NY SBDC is administered by SUNY and funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New York, and host campuses. Since its start in 1984, the NY SBDC has worked directly with 427,740 businesses, helping them to invest $5,870,293,418 in the state's economy. They, in turn, have created or saved 188,301 jobs.
"National accreditation demonstrates that SUNY’s program upholds the highest of quality standards and services," said SUNY Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright. "My congratulations to State Director Jim King and the SBDC network on being recognized for their ongoing support of the economic well-being of our critically important entrepreneurial and small business sectors."
The SBDC Accreditation Committee reviewed all areas of New York’s program, including leadership, organizational management, strategic planning, client and stakeholder focus, service delivery, and program performance. Their high standards ensure that the public investment in the program from the federal government, the state government, and the host institutions results in strong returns for New York’s economy.
This is the sixth time the NY SBDC program has been awarded accreditation or the predecessor certification. Notably, in this year’s accreditation report, the NY SBDC received four commendations highlighting best practices:
- NY SBDC [maintains] excellent relationships with host colleges and universities, especially with technology-focused institutions, which go beyond support to integration of strategy and collaboratively creating productive win/win initiatives;
- Its immediate and sustained leadership role in helping businesses with post-disaster recovery;
- Dedication to client outcomes and mutual respect for colleagues; and
- Advisory Board engagement with staff to collect feedback for the Central SBDC Office.
"It’s always valuable to have experienced outside experts provide feedback," said NY SBDC State Director Jim King. "We take great pride in our work and welcome the high standards of accreditation. We appreciate their recognition of our strengths and take seriously their insights and recommendations regarding our challenges. I want to extend my congratulations to our entire team."
Accreditation qualifies each SBDC to apply for federal funds administered by the U.S. SBA Office of Small Business Development Centers. The SBDC Accreditation process is based on continuous improvement and the National Baldridge Standards of excellence in service. This helps ensure that every SBDC program is continually undergoing self-analysis and growth in a dynamic improvement effort to fully meet the needs of America’s small business and entrepreneurial sectors.
About the New York Small Business Development Center
The New York State Small Business Development Center (NY SBDC) - the premier business assistance organization in New York State - provides expert management and technical assistance to start-up and existing businesses across the state. The NY SBDC is administered by State University of New York and funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New York, and host campuses. Through 24 campus-based regional centers, and 29 outreach offices, the New York SBDC applies the resources of university, private sector, and government to solve business problems and foster entrepreneurship. The NY SBDC emphasizes consulting and training services to women, veterans, people with special needs, and minority clients. The NY SBDC also focuses on projects that advance the job development, investment, and economic growth priorities of New York State, with an emphasis on manufacturers, exporters and technology-oriented firms. NY SBDC clients have invested approximately $6 billion in NY, impacting more than 188,000 jobs.
The SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New York, local communities, and host campuses. As a result of this leveraged support, the SBDC staff provides confidential one-on-one business advisement services at no direct cost to the citizens and entrepreneurs of New York. For more information about the SBDC, visit www.nysbdc.org.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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