SUNY Ulster’s Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center (SBDC) continues to champion the needs of regional businesses, exceeding annual performance goals set by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in helping businesses launch, grow, and gain resilience.
In a year of turmoil for businesses because of the impact of COVID-19, SBDC served well over 1,100 clients, almost double their goal of 680. For many of these small businesses, SBDC business advisors aided clients in their understanding of and application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to keep their businesses afloat and employees paid during the pandemic.
Under SBDC guidance, clients were able to attain $27.4 million in funding for their ventures, about half of which were for COVID-related SBA help. The remaining funding is attributed to fulfilling normative business start-up or growth needs such as equipment, technology, or personnel. The $27.4 million in funding exceeds their goal by $6.4 million.
The top three industries that comprised SBDC’s clientele this past year are hospitality and food services, manufacturing, and retail. In addition, SBDC values diversity, equity, and inclusion serving a diverse population of regional clients with 13% of clients African American and 10% Latino. Every client is asked by the State to submit an evaluation of services received. SBDC achieved a 96% satisfaction rate.
Arnaldo Sehwerert, Regional Director shares, “SBDC’s free business counseling services has provided much needed support to local entrepreneurs for 35 years, during good and bad times. And, SUNY Ulster continues to assist in this contribution to the wellness of the local economy.”
The Mid-Hudson SBDC has a long-standing track record of providing exemplary work on behalf of clients. Three business advisors from the chapter were nominated for Counselor of the Year including Sam Kandel, Cathy Terrizi, and Cynthia Clune. Sam Kandel, who has been a business advisor with SBDC for over 18 years and is the highest awarded SBDC counselor in New York State was named Counselor of the Year.
Sam Kandel’s client, Pine Ridge Dude Ranch, was awarded SBDC Tourism Business of the Year. Mike Offner, who took ownership of the ranch after its owner passed away suddenly worked closely with employees to bring the ranch back to life under the guidance of SBDC’s Sam Kandel. Sam Kandel notes, “Serving the needs of the small business community in Ulster County is a distinct honor. What we at the SBDC invest in time and energy with our clients, the community gets back in spades with investment, job creation, and economic prosperity.”
SBDC provides business counseling services free of charge to start-up and existing businesses. A joint venture between SUNY and the SBA, the Mid-Hudson chapter serves Ulster, Sullivan, Orange, Greene, Delaware, and Dutchess counties. Since their inception in 1985, their expert advisors have worked directly with more than 20,000 regional businesses, helping them to invest $716,870,750 in the area’s economy, and create or save 21,143 jobs.
The Mid-Hudson SBDC is located in Kingston at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster on Mary’s Ave. Visit the SBDC website, send an email, or call (845) 802-9150 to learn more about how SBDC can help you start or grow your business.
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