From left: Kyle Row, Financial Counselor; Ebony Carter, Business Counselor; Jill Badger, Vice President of Small Business Services; Jim Laipply, Ohio Department of Development; Paula Avila-Palomares, Export Director; Sabrina D'Onofrio, SBDC Program Manager; Sean Moore, Marketing Counselor.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced on Monday, May 2, that the Toledo Small Business Development Center at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce has won its 2022 Great Lakes Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Award. Through this award, the SBA recognizes the year's most outstanding SBDC among the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Jim Laipply, Deputy Chief and SBDC State Director with the Ohio Department of Development, nominated the Toledo SBDC for this distinction, and presented the award to the Toledo SBDC team during the Chamber's 2022 Annual Meeting presented by Fifth Third Bank on May 3, 2022.
"This award distinguishes the Toledo Small Business Development Center as one of the best SBDCs in the country. Each year only 10 Small Business Development Centers out of nearly 1,000 across the United States are awarded this recognition," Laipply said.
The Toledo SBDC, led by SBDC Director and Vice President of Small Business Services Jill Badger, provides one-on-one business counseling services at no cost to small business leaders throughout the Toledo region, which includes guidance on financing, market research and strategies, cash flow analysis, business plan creation, and more. During the 2021 fiscal year, the Toledo SBDC saw a record-breaking 834 clients, 54 percent of which are woman business owners and 59 percent of which are minority business owners. The Toledo SBDC also assisted 47 Toledo region business leaders in starting a new business, which translates to $13.3 million in capital. This work by the expert team members in the Toledo SBDC led to the creation and retention of 442 jobs.
"The Toledo SBDC works hard every day to ensure that our small business have access to the services and support needed to survive," Badger said. "This award is especially gratifying after such a difficult few years for so many of our small businesses. As the director of the Toledo SBDC, I’m incredibly proud of this team's hard work and dedication to our small business community that is being recognized by this prestigious award."
The Toledo SBDC also hosts no-cost small business services classes, in which business leaders are invited to learn about marketing, financing and building a digital presence. The Toledo SBDC is also home to the Export Assistance Network, educating business leaders both large and small on how they can grow into new global markets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Toledo SBDC was instrumental in administering the Lucas County Stabilization Grant to small businesses throughout northwest Ohio. For these reasons and more, the Toledo SBDC has earned the SBA's 2022 Great Lakes Regional Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award.
“It is an honor to host the Toledo SBDC,” said Wendy Gramza, President & CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. “I could not be more proud of the work our team does to help make the dream of owning a business possible for diverse entrepreneurs in the Toledo region.”
The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to be home to the Toledo SBDC since its inception 32 years ago. The work that the Toledo SBDC team members do every day supports the Chamber's mission to solve critical business challenges in order to create vibrant economic opportunities for all in our region, as well as the Chamber's vision to transform our region into THE place for diverse talent to live and work.
"This award distinguishes the Toledo Small Business Development Center as one of the best SBDCs in the country. Each year only 10 Small Business Development Centers out of nearly 1,000 across the United States are awarded this recognition," Laipply said.
The Toledo SBDC, led by SBDC Director and Vice President of Small Business Services Jill Badger, provides one-on-one business counseling services at no cost to small business leaders throughout the Toledo region, which includes guidance on financing, market research and strategies, cash flow analysis, business plan creation, and more. During the 2021 fiscal year, the Toledo SBDC saw a record-breaking 834 clients, 54 percent of which are woman business owners and 59 percent of which are minority business owners. The Toledo SBDC also assisted 47 Toledo region business leaders in starting a new business, which translates to $13.3 million in capital. This work by the expert team members in the Toledo SBDC led to the creation and retention of 442 jobs.
"The Toledo SBDC works hard every day to ensure that our small business have access to the services and support needed to survive," Badger said. "This award is especially gratifying after such a difficult few years for so many of our small businesses. As the director of the Toledo SBDC, I’m incredibly proud of this team's hard work and dedication to our small business community that is being recognized by this prestigious award."
The Toledo SBDC also hosts no-cost small business services classes, in which business leaders are invited to learn about marketing, financing and building a digital presence. The Toledo SBDC is also home to the Export Assistance Network, educating business leaders both large and small on how they can grow into new global markets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Toledo SBDC was instrumental in administering the Lucas County Stabilization Grant to small businesses throughout northwest Ohio. For these reasons and more, the Toledo SBDC has earned the SBA's 2022 Great Lakes Regional Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award.
“It is an honor to host the Toledo SBDC,” said Wendy Gramza, President & CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. “I could not be more proud of the work our team does to help make the dream of owning a business possible for diverse entrepreneurs in the Toledo region.”
The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to be home to the Toledo SBDC since its inception 32 years ago. The work that the Toledo SBDC team members do every day supports the Chamber's mission to solve critical business challenges in order to create vibrant economic opportunities for all in our region, as well as the Chamber's vision to transform our region into THE place for diverse talent to live and work.
About the Toledo Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center of Ohio (SBDC) program is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC program is also funded in part by the Ohio Development Services Agency. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact us at 419-243-8191 to make arrangements.
The Small Business Development Center of Ohio (SBDC) program is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC program is also funded in part by the Ohio Development Services Agency. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact us at 419-243-8191 to make arrangements.
About the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, serving a membership of over 2,000 businesses, solves critical business challenges in order to create vibrant economic opportunities for all in our region.
The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, serving a membership of over 2,000 businesses, solves critical business challenges in order to create vibrant economic opportunities for all in our region.
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