Your Guiding Light

The Nevada SBDC was the primary resource for small businesses in Nevada during the COVID-19 pandemic.  "During the pandemic the outstanding staff at the Nevada SBDC served a critical need for the small businesses in the State and region, and through their outreach helped the owners of those businesses navigate turbulent times," says Greg Mosier, Dean of the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno.  The Nevada SBDC was able to deliver valuable disaster related statewide training events and assist businesses with COVID-19 issues such as retention and sustainability, industry tip sheets for employers, and COVID HR issues.

For more than 40 years, the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts has been a cultural institution for the Bronx and its surrounding communities. In March 2020, halfway through its 40th anniversary season, everything closed. This was a devastating blow after the completion of its 15-million-dollar redesign & renovation. All remaining performances for the season came to a halt and income was frozen. Director Eva Bornstein consulted Bronx SBDC Director Clarence Stanley, who encouraged her to apply for a Shuttered Venue Operators grant. Though the grant was competitive, the Center was ultimately awarded more than a million dollars in grant funding. The Center reopened its doors in October to enthusiastic reviews.

In February of 2021 Coil Chem was having trouble processing their second Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan. The first PPP loan had processed almost immediately but the second round did not go as well. The company waited several weeks for the loan to process before being informed there was a problem. They immediately contacted SBDC business advisor Larry Seibert as he had helped them previously. Larry reached out to his internal contacts and within a few days the company was informed that the error on their account had been corrected and the loan processed and funded the same day. Executive Vice President Sheri Vickery said, “This would not have been possible without Larry's help. He helped a small business survive a very hard time.”

“The textile industry was a main component of Puerto Rico's manufacturing sectors. Recently, this industry has re-emerged and continues growing. During the pandemic, the industrial textile manufacturing sector was crucial to assist and produce necessary equipment for health care workers”, said Mr. Sierra.

In 2021, the SC SBDC continued providing urgently needed triage to clients seeking our assistance and reassurance. Despite enduring more than a year of pandemic-related disruptions, some of our clients won their first government contracts, while others began exporting or expanded their facilities to accommodate escalating e-commerce orders. Through the Herculean efforts of our consultants and staff, we helped 11,926 entrepreneurs turn catastrophe into lucrative and enduring opportunities.