Thinking of starting a new business? Have an existing business you’re wanting to grow? How about a class on digital marketing or financial bookkeeping? Not sure if you can afford to hire that first employee? The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is your one stop shop for resources and support.
At the SBDC we divide our services into two categories: education and consulting. For education, our center hosts a revolving schedule of no-cost and low-cost classes and trainings on relevant business topics. Content ranges from general classes, ex. Business Planning and Market Research, to more nuanced subjects like, HR Implications of Legislative Changes for Small Business in 2023. Our wide range of offerings allows us to engage entrepreneurs at multiple stages of the business lifecycle.
On the consulting side, our team of small business certified consultants deliver confidential, high quality, individualized business advising and technical assistance to existing businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs. In the Grand Junction Center, our coaching team draws on a wide range of specialties, skills and knowledge acquired mostly through successful careers as business founders and executives. The best part of our consulting? It is always free.
In addition to education and consulting, the Grand Junction SBDC serves as a conduit between local businesses and statewide incentive programs and grant opportunities. When entrepreneurs connect with the SBDC, they are connecting to the wide array of support offered at the State level through the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). Specific programs include:
- The Business Foundations Technical Assistance Program which provides technical assistance and small grants to Colorado small businesses to help businesses legally establish themselves. The program includes 3 required training paths for businesses to complete. Once completed, businesses may be eligible to apply for grants of up to $1,200. More information c
an be found here: www.oedit.colorado.gov/business-foundations-technical-assistance-program.
Connect2DOT which helps small and disadvantaged businesses become more competitive and successful in doing business with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and other local transportation agencies. More information can be found here: www.sites.google.com/state.co.us/connect2dot/home.
The pioneering spirit of the West is what makes Colorado the special place it is. At the SBDC we champion that ethos by supporting entrepreneurs wishing and willing to pursue their version of their own American dream. It is our hope and our privilege that we can serve you along the way.
If you are thinking of starting a venture or have an existing business in Mesa, western Garfield, or Rio Blanco County and would like to request consulting or learn more about how the SBDC can serve your unique needs, please reference our website: www.grandjunctionsbdc.org or contact our host institution at (970) 243-5242. If you are interested in joining our team and becoming a certified business consultant, please contact Jeff directly at: [email protected].
Jeff Engell is the Director of the Grand Junction Small Business Development Center. He brings to the role over a decade of organizational leadership and consulting experience in fostering the mission of economic growth and development. His specific domain expertise is in agriculture, energy, life science, food security, industrial production, and cleantech, resulting from having worked with 400+ small-to-medium enterprises to access capital, create product-market fit, and develop strategies for growth and scale.