SBDC makes impact in Atlanta

Since opening in April of 2019 the Small Business Development Center in Atlanta has made a notable impact on the community. Tim Wilson, the Director Northeast Texas Small Business Development Center, spoke before the Atlanta City Council on February 7, giving some of the statistics of the people who have utilized the resources available to help start a new or grow their existing businesses.

According to the SBDC website, they are “America’s nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) is the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories. SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners, and funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.”

“There are nearly 1,000 local centers available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses.” Atlanta is one of those locations.

“Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can go to their local SBDCs for FREE face-to-face business consulting and at-cost training on a variety of topics. Learn more about how SBDCs are helping local businesses start, grow and thrive.”

According to Wilson, April 1, 2019, through September 30, 2021, they have consulted with nearly 50 people. (See chart for statistics)

“During the first 2 ½ years of SBDC’s 2-day/week presence in Atlanta City Hall, the following metrics in the chart were recorded,” says Wilson. “These numbers account for economic impact achieved by residents and businesses only within Atlanta City Limits and served by the SBDC office. In addition to these, your investment has benefitted countless others in the community-at-large, including all of Cass County, parts of Bowie County and a few foreigners for Louisiana, all who undoubtedly consider Atlanta, Texas to be an innovative and pro-business community.”

Wilson believes it has been a positive decision to be a part of the City of Altana. “It has been a pleasure to serve the City of Atlanta under this agreement and I hope we can continue the arrangement.”

Mayor Travis Ransom agrees, “Partnering with the SBDC has been a great success. By providing office space inside Atlanta City Hall we established a proactive approach to economic development while providing an invaluable resource to area entrepreneurs looking to locate and grow their business in the region.”

SBDC Atlanta is normally open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday. However, the office may be closed to open traffic because of appointments.

The staff meets clients by appointment either at the Atlanta City Hall office or the client’s site, they might not be in the office during those hours. The best way to reach them is their main office in Mt. Pleasant at (903) 434-8237.