Small business owners continue to navigate an ever-changing landscape. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) work to support and elevate their clients through innovative training programs and free advising strategies.

Nearly 1,000 SBDC centers can be found across the United States and its territories. They serve clients both virtually and from their centers in host institutions like universities and chambers.

In order to celebrate its collective impact across the nation, America’s SBDCs are hosting the seventh annual SBDC Day today, March 15.

This day is a national movement to help share the small business success stories along with notable impact SBDCs have fostered nationwide.

SBDC By the Numbers

SBDCs are leaders in job creation and economic development. Nationwide, they’ve help to start 14,487 new businesses, as well as generated:

  • 85,094 jobs
  • $10.1 billion in sales growth
  • $7.7 billion in capital investments

To help with this cause, Thryv Foundation has partnered with the SBDC since 2019. The foundation provides educational workshops and webinars for their local centers. These sessions give business owners the tools they need to start, run and grow their business.

Whether serving rural America, addressing a solution in fintech, or helping a millennial woman-owned business expand to global exporting, SBDCs are at the forefront, assisting their clients at every step.

Partnering to Empower

“The Thryv Foundation is thrilled to be partnering with the SBDC to empower, support and help local businesses across the country,” says Cielene Aleksejus, Thryv Foundation director. “There is such great alignment between the foundation and the important work of the SBDC.”

According to the most recent Chrisman Survey, America’s SBDCs provide measurable economic results, as featured it its 2023 Annual Report.

In this report, you’ll hear from cattle farmers in Arkansas, a bakery in Delaware and a beauty school in Hawaii. Each has received support, guidance, resources and more.

The Louisiana SBDC is the best kept secret in Lafayette! … After spending an entire year under the guidance of our SBDC, building out our projections and business plan, we were able to secure the capital required to start a business of this magnitude.

Cajun Family Traditions

“Through adversity, we strengthen and grow, and nothing could be truer for the SBDC network and its thousands of clients this past year,” says Charles “Tee” Rowe, President & CEO of America’s SBDC.

“Today, we are celebrating the network’s reimagined approach to doing business and its direct positive impact on Main Streets all across America.”

To learn more, visit AmericasSBDC.org/SBDCDay. To further join the conversation on social, follow the hashtag #SBDCDAY.

SBDC Day