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NYS SBDC Reaccredited by National Organization


PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Feb. 12, 2008) - The New York State Small Business Development Center and the North Country Small Business Development Center, part of its statewide network of 23 regional business assistance centers, have received reaccreditation without condition for the next four years. The accreditation comes from the national Association of Small Business Development Centers, operating under U.S. congressional sanction.

The latest affirmation from the association came after a lengthy statewide self-study and the development of a strategic plan that addresses the program's goals and objectives for centers and clients (small business owners and entrepreneurs) at host campuses across the state.

"We are pleased that the Accreditation Committee recognized past accomplishments and approved our four-year plan for the growth of the program," said Mr. James King, director for the New York State SBDC.

This is the fifth consecutive accreditation review where the New York State SBDC has displayed continuous growth and progress, meriting full accreditation without exception, a distinction only granted to an average 10-15% of state or regional SBDC programs. "We are very proud of our record of achievement and will continue to seek excellence in services," King concluded.

As part of the process, a review team from the association's Accreditation Committee came to Plattsburgh during a week-long New York state visit. While in Plattsburgh, they conducted on-site inspections and interviewed service center personnel as well as campus officials, sponsors, and clients of the program.

"This is a reconfirmation of our commitment to deliver a quality professional service to North Country entrepreneurs," said Delena (Dee) Clark, regional director of the North Country SBDC at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh.

Services of the North Country SBDC include business plan development, cash flow projections, financial analysis, marketing, training, business start-up support, help buying and selling businesses, human resource development and more. This accreditation reaffirms the importance of these services, according to Dr. Colin Read, dean of the SUNY Plattsburgh School of Business and Economics.

"This substantiates the importance of the North Country SBDC in the business community and its relationship with SUNY Plattsburgh, its faculty, students and alumni," said Read. "Their positive efforts only serve to strengthen our dedication and support for this business development center and recognition of its importance in a North Country economy that is poised for significant growth over the next several years."

The Accreditation Committee operates under federal statutory approval and is overseen by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The New York State SBDC Service Centers are hosted by colleges and universities throughout the state, including members of the State University of New York, the City University of New York and private institutions. The review team that visited New York was composed of representatives from Delaware, the District of Columbia, Missouri and New Mexico. The association has member programs from all 50 States and the U.S. territories, as well as international institutions.

The New York State SBDC has been a member of the association since 1984 and part of the Accreditation Committee since 1988. During its history, New York State SBDC has been recognized with 20 regional or national awards of excellence. For its work with small businesses after the Sept. 11 attacks, it was awarded the highest national honor, the National Phoenix Award for Disaster Assistance, at a Washington, D.C. ceremony, hosted by then Secretary of State Colin Powell, a native New Yorker.

The North Country SBDC, part of the School of Business and Economics at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh is located at 194 US Oval in Plattsburgh. The North Country SBDC has worked one-on-one in a confidential setting with emerging, existing and expanding entrepreneurs, providing services at no cost to clients in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren and Northern Washington counties for more than 23 years.

The North Country SBDC is part of a statewide program funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the State University of New York. For more information about the Center, visit the North Country SBDC online at www.plattsburgh.edu/offices/support/sbdc or call 518-564-2042. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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