Cass County Connect
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helps Entrepreneurs Achieve their Dream of Business Success
In the span of five years and four months the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has occupied a part-time office in Atlanta City Hall. Records reflect significant progress toward business growth and development in Atlanta and Cass County as a whole. Two SBDC business advisors alternately work that office two days per week to serve mostly Cass County businesses and prospective businesses with resources dedicated to helping them start, expand and thrive.
They provide counseling and training to small businesses including working with SBA to develop and provide informational tools to support business start-ups and existing business expansion. SBDC Programs deliver professional, high quality, individualized business advising and technical assistance to existing small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs. SBDCs provide problem- solving assistance to help small businesses access capital, develop and exchange new technologies, and improve business planning, strategy, operations, financial management, personnel administration, marketing, export assistance, sales and other areas required for small business growth and expansion, management improvement, increased productivity and innovation.
The SBDC in Atlanta has worked with 110 Cass County clients in all stages of business life (nascent, early, mature and exit). They have logged almost 2,000 client-specific hours in 984 sessions (including contact, research and prep). Largely owing to those efforts, businesses have realized the following successes: 20 New Businesses * 76 New Jobs Created Over $8 million in Loans & Equity Investments With additional impressive numbers in the 12-month pipeline * At this time, only two closures of the 20 startups. That 4-year, 90% success rate compares to ~ 50% nationwide within the first 5-years, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Atlanta successes include: Café Crema, Awaken Nutrition, Atlanta Floral & Gifts, Cass County Fitness, 903 Baseball & Softball Academy, The Sweet Spot, Chateau South, and The Branding Iron. SBDC advisors apply a wealth of resources and experience to help clients with business and financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, loan proposal preparation (conventional and SBA), government contracting, financial performance analysis and improvement, marketing, exit strategies and much more. And the best part? It’s totally free!
Of interest: You may recall a global pandemic started about the same time the SBDC office was getting started. As a result, their immediate efforts, and continuing for over three years, consisted of helping local-area businesses navigate the traumatic effects of shutdowns and catastrophic revenue losses. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) relied on SBDCs nationwide to take the lead rolling out assistance program information at a time when there was painfully little information available. In spite of the vacuum, the SBDC was able to assist dozens of businesses and banks in Cass County to acquire EIDL and PPP grants and low-interest loans to keep those businesses afloat. I am exceptionally proud of the work they do to help foster the entrepreneurial spirit in Cass County! Cass County has a rich heritage and a bright future!
The Rules of the Game
If you’ve ever been to a t-ball game, you’ve likely seen a young player knock the ball off the tee and then run to the wrong base. Little League is a place to learn the rules before you have to worry about curve balls and fast balls coming your way. Business life doesn’t have a little league and the risk of losing has significant consequences that could take years to recover from financially. One of the best ways to make sure you win is by having a great coach. The SBDC can help you learn how to hit those business curve balls and ensure you aren’t running the wrong direction. Your success is ultimately up to you, but taking advantage of all the resources available is a great way to ensure success. If you have a dream of opening a business, give them a call.
Upcoming Events in Cass County
August 17th - Hickory Hill at Music City Texas Theater in Linden, call 903-756-9934 for tickets!
August 22 from 6 to 7 PM, Business After Hours at Lost Lake RV Park Meet the new owners and tour this beautiful facility.
September 1st from 7 to 10 PM, Moonlight Madness, Downtown Atlanta The streets downtown will fill with vendors and local shops stay open late.
October 5th, 10am to 2pm, Fall Maker’s Market and Steven Smith Memorial Cruise Night in Downtown Atlanta, Texas.