America’s Small Business Development Center Network re-accredited the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center, (VI-SBDC) this spring, thereby affirming the center’s viability in assisting new and existing entrepreneurs in the territory.
“We’re proud of it,” said Dr. John Osoinach, State Director of the VI-SBDC. “It is important that somebody is watching to see that our program is offering top-notch services. Accreditation confirms that we’re doing what we should be doing.”
The VI SBDC offers free counseling to small business owners as well as free or low cost training in a variety of business-related areas, such as writing business plans, marketing, regulatory compliance and accessing capital. Osoinach said that on a yearly basis, several hundred counseling clients receive guidance on a wide range of topics including business expansion, human resources policies, and assistance with loan packaging. “We can make a pretty strong case that companies working with SBDCs do better than those who don’t,” Osoinach said. Additionally, about 1,000 existing and potential small business operators take advantage of training and information sessions at VI SBDC. More information is available in a news release on the Media Section of the UVI website –http://www.uvi.edu - and from this direct link.