Small Business Development Center Records *JMU Papers*

Repository:

Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University

Creator:

JMU Small Business Development Center

Creator:

Virginia SBDC Shenandoah Valley

Title:

Small Business Development Center Records

Collection No.:

UA 0009

Date:

1980-2004

Extent:

8 boxes, 2.48 Cubic Feet

Language of the Material:

English

Abstract:

The Small Business Development Center Records documents the creation and growth of the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center. The collection comprises of financial budgets, proposals, donations, outreach programs, and articles that cover the growing success of the Shenandoah Valley SBDC at James Madison University.

The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was established in 1989 at James Madison University. Originally named the James Madison University SBDC, the Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business established the center as a satellite office in 1987 in order to support the success of local businesses based on the Center's programming. In 2002, the James Madison University SBDC became the Shenandoah Valley SBDC when a new office was opened at Blue Ridge Community College. Today, The Shenandoah Valley SBDC is a not-for profit partnership between JMU, the US Small Business Administration, and the cities and counties in their service region. It is currently one of 29 centers throughout Virginia. The mission of the Shenandoah Valley SBDC is to advise, train, and inform small business in order to help them achieve success by offering consulting services to new and established businesses. Their region covers the counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, and Shenandoah as well as the major cities located within these counties.

The nationwide Small Business Development Center (SBDC) focuses on client education and is the federal government's largest and most successful management and technical assistance program for small businesses. In the 1940s Congress was first introduced to the idea of establishing a university-based business extension service. By 1953 the Small Business Administration was established. This reflected the federal government's recognition of the need for small businesses within the economy. Advancements for the Small Business Administration continued when President Carter signed the Small Business Development Center Act into law in 1980. This program strove to nationally help and support the development and operation of small businesses by providing them with management development, technical information, product planning and development, and domestic and international market development. In addition, the program assists established businesses as well as aspiring entrepreneurs. Virginia was added into this network during the years 1988-1990; by 1991 every state in the country was involved in the Small Business Development Center program.

This collection covers the years 1980-2004 for the Shenandoah Valley SBDC. The records document financial information, proposals, meeting minutes, correspondence, journals, photographs, articles, annual reports, and pamphlets from various colleges. The collection is arranged into four series.

This collection is arranged in four series: Series 1: Financial Records, 1980-1999 Series 2: JMU SBDC Planning and Development, 1986-2003

Subseries 1: Proposals, 1986-2003,

Subseries 2: Annual Reports, 1984-2003 Series 3: Subject Files, 1982-2004 Series 4: Digital Media and Slides, 1987-2003

James Madison University. "Small Business Development Center." jmu.edu. https://www.jmu.edu/cob/centers/sbdc/index.shtml. Accessed May 24, 2018.

Virginia SBDC Shenandoah Valley. "About Us." valleysbdc.org. http://www.valleysbdc.org/about/. Accessed May 24, 2018.

U.S. Small Business Administration. "Small Business Development Center." sba.gov. https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/sbdc. Accessed May 24, 2018.