Providing Assistance and Support to Small Businesses

CSUF Continues to Oversee Regional Small-Business Development Centers

August 11, 2009

Cal State Fullerton will continue to oversee the Small Business Administration’s regional small-business development centers for Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties under 2009 SBA contracts totaling $2,028,118.

The university’s Mihaylo College of Business and Economics has been responsible for administration of the centers in Orange County and Inland Empire since 2003. Serving as lead director of the centers is Jesse A. Torres, who assists and oversees the centers as they provide training, consulting and technical assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

“Year to date, our centers provided counsel to and trained more than 3,100 clients and had an economic impact of more than $42 million,” said Torres. In addition to assisting with training and consultations, the centers promote government contracting, access to capital and international trade opportunities for the region’s enterprises. “The success of small business is critical to the vitality and growth of our region.

“Because some of our partner institutions have been affected by the state budget cuts, we realize that to continue to serve our constituents we must reach out and rally new support and partners,” Torres continued. “It is time to come together to support our business community — our services are needed now more than ever.”

Earlier this year, the Orange County Small Business Development Center was awarded a Center of Excellence Award at the 46th Annual Small Business Week Awards ceremony. Also honored was one of the companies served by the Inland Empire SBDC.

The Fullerton Lead Center is located in Room 3100 of Mihaylo Hall on the Cal State Fullerton campus. For more information, call 657-278-2719.

Locations of the Regional Small Business Development Centers:

• TriTech SBDC, 14745 Riverside Dr., Riverside, 92518, 951-571-6480
• Orange County SBDC, 2323 N. Broadway, Suite 201, Santa Ana, 714-564-5200
• Inland Empire SBDC, 1201 Research Dr., Suite 100, Riverside, 951-781-2345

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jesse Torres, Lead Small Business Development Center, 657-278-5168 or jessetorres@fullerton.edu
Pamela McLaren, Public Affairs, 657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu