Small Business Development Center Network
OVERVIEW The Utah Small Business Development Center (SBDC) strives to strengthen Utah’s economic fabric and quality of life by facilitating the success and prosperity of small business endeavors. The Utah SBDC network consists of business consultants, trainers, educators and support staff operating statewide from Utah’s state colleges and universities. The Utah host for the SBDC program is Salt Lake Community College, with regional host institutions at College of Eastern Utah (Price and Blanding) Davis ATC, Dixie State College, Snow College (Ephraim and Richfield), Southern Utah University, Utah State University (Logan and Vernal), Utah Valley University, and Weber State University. Other key stakeholders include the US Small Business Administration and the State of Utah Governors Office of Economic Development. Key goals include providing significant, in-depth, assistance to entrepreneur clients (including pre-startup), that help the client increase sales, profits and jobs, long-term sustainable business practices. This is accomplished through in-depth training, one-to-one no-cost counseling, and following up with clients to find the resources that they need. Two recent successes show the impact that the SBDC can have in the state’s economy. Lisbon Valley Mining Company Rises from the Dust San Juan is the largest county in Utah. It’s also the poorest. The population density averages two residents per square mile, bringing the total to a little more than 14,000 souls. A business that employs over 100 men and women—and at a pay scale that is well above average—is a big deal here. When a business is forced to close, it’s a tragedy. The copper mine and mill began operations in late 2005. By early 2008, management said that the milling operation was taking longer than anticipated, leaving the company unable to meet its delivery obligations. Robert M. Frayser, General Manager, Lisbon Valley Mining, reflects back that the bank told him to back off of his efforts to save the company—since the potential for a conflict of interest was high. He heeded that request, for a bit, but as the end drew near, he couldn’t maintain that position. “I realized that my ultimate responsibility as General Manager of Lisbon Valley
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