Small Business Development Center Celebrates 25 Years

The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center (SV SBDC) celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year.  The anniversary commemorates the center’s well-earned achievements through its meticulous work and dedication to James Madison University and the Shenandoah Valley business community. The SV SBDC helps small businesses launch and prosper by providing confidential business consultation, free of charge.

Director of the SV SBDC Joyce Krech explains that it is her goal to make the center’s 25^th anniversary a community-wide affair. She says, “We are celebrating all year in 2014, but our celebration is not just about us, but about all the small businesses in our communities. For the past 25 years, and in the years to come, the SV SBDC remains the place businesses come to talk business in the Shenandoah Valley,” says Krech.             

The SV SBDC 2014 anniversary celebration will include commending the small businesses in the region, providing support for small businesses, unifying small business, recognizing the impact of small businesses on the economy, and also promoting the SBDC as a valuable partner in the community.

To meet these 25^th anniversary celebration goals, the employees at the SV SBDC are implementing an array of activities throughout the year. These efforts include soliciting city and county resolutions, celebrating the SBDC, as well as setting up scavenger hunts in the business communities. The organization is also partnering with other local organization to promote events for small businesses, and production and distribution of “Small Business Matters” advertisements on t-shirts, newspapers, TV and radio.

This milestone is not only recognized by James Madison University and its College of Business, but also by several partner cities and counties. The SV SBDC invites JMU and the Shenandoah Valley community to join them in celebrating 25 years of great success. More information can be found at www.ValleySBDC.org.

By: Morgan Touey, SCOM & WRTC, COB Marketing Intern