Itasca Economic Development Corporation
12 Northwest 3rd St.
Grand Rapids,
Minnesota 55744
(218) 326 - 9411
(888) 890 - JOBS


Small Business Development Center


Assistance

The Minnesota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC's) provide confidential counseling and training to individuals interested in expanding or starting a business. Whether the person already owns a small business, or is still in the planning stages, the SBDC's can help them face the challenges of running a successful small business in Minnesota.


Counseling

  • Business Plan Development
  • Feasibility Analysis
  • Market Research
  • Advertising / Sales
  • Financial Analysis
  • Loan Packaging
  • Strategic Planning
  • Record Keeping Systems
  • Exit Planning
  • And More...

In addition, the SBDC's partner with other organizations to provide expert assistance in such areas as competing for government contracts, expanding markets through exporting, manufacturing assessment, and research and development for value-added agricultural products.


Information Resources

SBDC's provide comprehensive business resource materials and database access for business research:

  • Regulatory Information
  • Business and Industry Information
  • Markets, Demographics and Statistics
  • Licenses and Permits
  • Trade Organizations and Professional Associations
  • Federal, State and Local Business Support Agencies


Loan Packaging

While the SBDC's do not administer loan or grant programs, our counselors do help small businesses assess funding options, identify financing sources, evaluate eligibility, and prepare necessary documentation.


Qualifications

Any company or individual that qualifies under U.S. Small Business Administration guidelines may request services. More than 99 percent of all companies qualify for SBDC assistance.


Fees

Our funding partners financial support allows us to provide counseling at no cost to the small business user. Training programs and special projects are provided at no cost or a nominal fee.

Itasca Economic Development Corporation hosts an SBDC for the Minnesota Small Business Development Centers. The sponsoring regional service center for our SBDC is the University of Minnesota Duluth Center for Economic Development (UMDCED).