ASBTDC Network Receives National Accreditation
JONESBORO — The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) network at Arkansas State University has been reaccredited with no conditions by its national association.
“This is great news about the national reaccreditation of our Small Business and Technology Development Center,” said Dr. Shane Hunt, dean of the A-State College of Business. “Laura Miller (director of the A-State SBTDC) and the entire SBTDC team do a truly outstanding job and make the College of Business and our community a better place each day.”
Beth Melnik, chair of the America’s Small Business Development Centers accreditation committee, announced the news by letter.
“The review encompassed both the general accreditation standards and technology accreditation standards developed and deployed in cooperation with our federal funding partner, the U.S. Small Business Administration,” said Melnik.
America’s Small Business Development Centers, the national accrediting body for SBDC programs, reviews each state or regional network every five years. Mandated by Congress, the accreditation review process assures that SBDC programs operate efficiently and effectively. Accreditation is also a requirement to receive federal funding.
Committee members Katie Sewell of Idaho and Jill Kline of Wyoming visited the state in November for the on-site portion of the review. In February, the committee voted to award full accreditation without conditions and included six commendations highlighting best practices in its final report.
“We set the bar high for ourselves, and this report illustrates the caliber of our services and staff,” said Laura Fine, ASBTDC state director. “Throughout our program's history, we have never had a condition with an accreditation review, which further demonstrates our commitment to excellence.”
The mission of the nationwide network of SBDCs is to help new entrepreneurs realize the dream of business ownership and to assist existing businesses so they can remain competitive in the complex marketplace of an ever-changing global economy. Hosted by leading universities, colleges and state economic development agencies, and funded in part by the SBA, the network includes nearly 1,000 service centers that provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training.
Arkansas State is a regional center along with Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and University of Arkansas campuses at Fayetteville and Monticello. The lead center is located in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business.
The centers have assisted Arkansas small businesses with obtaining nearly a half-billion dollars in capital investment ($493,827,933) over the last decade, including an all-time best $69.9 million in 2016. Over that same timespan, the ASBTDC network has helped its clients create and retain more than 10,000 jobs.
