November 5, 2004

Idaho Small Business Development Center Receives National Accreditation

The Idaho Small Business Development Center, whose state office is located at Boise State University, has received national accreditation. The center was one of a small number of SBDC programs in the country to receive unconditional accreditation. The Association of Small Business Development Centers review team visited all six regional Idaho SBDC offices in August, as well as interviewed key state and local stakeholders. The Idaho SBDC was commended for having an experienced staff, a strong strategic planning process with a focus on serving existing businesses and growth clients and strong state and regional support with partnerships at the state and regional levels to leverage small business services. The accreditation results are recognition of the two major strengths in the Idaho SBDC program, said Jim Hogge, state director. Those strengths are the people who work and deliver our services to Idaho entrepreneurs throughout the state, and the support from Idaho s colleges and universities. The university-based organization offers a wealth of free and low-cost information designed to educate and support Idaho small business owners and managers, inventors, and potential entrepreneurs. It is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is a partnership with Idaho s institutes of higher education and the private sector. For more information, visit www.idahosbdc.org.  -30- Contact: Jim Hogge, Idaho SBDC state director, (208) 344-6754, jhogge@boisestate.edu  Media Contact: Sherry Squires, communications and marketing, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu