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Small Business Development Center

Free and Confidential Help for Small Businesses

SBDCThe Rice County Small Business Management Center provides free and confidential counseling to help clients face the challenges of running a successful business. The primary goal of the SBDC is to serve existing businesses with specific challenges in the formative years of their business venture. Long-standing businesses with specific challenges are welcome to tap into the network of professional SBDC counselors. Start-ups too are invited to the Rice County SBDC for help with bringing their concept to reality

Referrals are essential for the continued growth and sustainability of the local SBDC.  Referrals to small businesses seeking to improve their management operations, marketing or financial situation are encouraged.

In addition to the individual private counseling, the Rice County SBDC also supports periodic seminars on business issues. Recently the SBDC co-sponsored a seminar on Coping in a Down Economy and two seminars on Getting Started in Business.

The SBDC has two qualified counselors. Judy Saye-Willis has noteworthy business experience and expertise in business management and marketing. Del Spronk is a new counselor for the SBDC and offers expertise in business management, and accounting as well as loan packaging and refinancing. Business counselors and resource materials are also available in Spanish.

Since opening the Rice County Small Business Development Center over 77 area clients have been served. SBDC clients have received counseling on business start-up issues, marketing, financing options and purchasing an existing business refinancing options and every aspect of business management.

The Rice County SBDC is located within the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and operates as a satellite office of the Southeast Minnesota Regional Office of the Minnesota Small Business Development Center in Rochester Minnesota.

Access the resources of the Rice County SBDC, by calling 507-334-4381. We welcome all businesses owners and managers as well as emerging entrepreneurs.

  • Business Plan Development
  • Financial Analysis
  • Marketing
  • Loan Packaging
  • Recordkeeping
  • Human Resource Management
  • Best Practices for Business
  • Feasibility Analysis
  • Market Research
  • Advertising and Sales
  • Strategic Planning
  • E-commerce
  • Overall Management