This content was published: June 20, 2008. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Small business centers spur job growth
Photos and story by James Hill
It turns out that small business is doing pretty well, thanks to help from small business development centers like the one at Portland Community College, the largest one in Oregon.
Businesses helped by Oregon’s small business development centers created 126 full-time jobs between July and December 2007, according to data from the Oregon Employment Department. Clients also report they were able to retain 238 jobs due to SBDC assistance. In addition to job growth and retention, during the same period Oregon’s SBDC clients were able to access $22.9 million of new capital. Plus, the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, a funding partner, reports that SBDCs show a positive return on investment.
“Given the slowdown in the economy that is prompting industries across Oregon to reduce their workforce, this is welcome news,” said Tom Lowles, director of the Portland Community College Small Business Development Center. “Job creation is a very important result of the work of the small business development centers and these numbers reflect the hard work of the dedicated staff of the SBDC.”
Metalcraft Machine Inc. exemplifies the business growth that has been possible with help from PCC’s Small Business Development Center. The St. Helens-based company manufactures precision parts for the aviation, trucking, off-road vehicle and forest products industry. Working with the SBDC, the company has added six employees and now runs two shifts. There are plans to add two more full-time employees by the end of 2008.
Owner Sven Christofferson says the outlook couldn’t be brighter. Gross revenues have jumped from $485,000 in 2006 to a projected $800,000 for 2008. Christofferson said the SBDC helps him “get fresh ideas. They give me the technical assistance to help me work not only in my business, but on my business.”
He also credits the SBDC for helping him “identify what is really important to be tracking … to verify if we are headed in the right direction.”
This year marks the Oregon SBDC Network’s 25th year of service to small business owners. “Small businesses are the drivers of Oregon’s economy. Thousands of businesses in every corner of the state have used our services. We look forward to working with these remarkable entrepreneurs for the next 25 years,” said Christine Krygier, acting state director of Oregon’s Small Business Development Center Network.
Last year, SBDCs across Oregon provided assistance to more than 14,000 businesses with free consulting on business development, training, classes, networking and access to vital resources. PCC’s Small Business Development Center, located at the Lloyd Center Mall in Portland, is part of the statewide network of 19 centers in partnership with the Small Business Administration and the Oregon Economic Development Department.
Visit the Oregon SBDCN at www.BizCenter.org, or PCC’s SBDC.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »