Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide management and technical assistance to more than 1.3 million small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs each year. Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can go to their local SBDCs for free, face-to-face business consulting and at-cost training on writing business plans, accessing capital, marketing, regulatory compliance, international trade and more. The mission of the network is to help new entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership, and assist existing businesses remain competitive in the complex marketplace of an ever-changing global economy.

The SBDCs are a partnership that includes Congress, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), the private sector, and the colleges, universities and state governments that manage SBDCs across the nation. SBDCs serve rural, suburban and urban communities. With nearly a thousand service centers and numerous additional outreach offices in the SBDC network, SBDCs work to ensure that services are broadly available throughout the nation.

• Find your local SBDC:
  There are about 1000 central and easily accessible branch locations nationwide.
• Find training classes your area:
  Classes vary by region and typically cover a broad range of subjects.
• Learn online:
  Many SBDCs offer online training that make it easy to learn from your home or office at a time that works for you.
• SBDC Community:
  A place where SBDC counselors can share best practices with each other.