The Small Business Development Center at UT Permian Basin (UTPB-SBDC) recently received recognition as the Center of the Year in the Northwest Region.
This award is given each year to the business center that performs above and beyond expectations and has made a positive impact in its community.
“The UTPB-Small Business Development Center is an economic development organization who empowers entrepreneurs,” said Tyler Patton, Director of the UTPB SBDC. “We provide free one-on-one, confidential consulting, market and industry research, and at-cost training to small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs. We are one of about 1,000 SBDC’s in North America. We are a part of the Northwest Texas SBDC Network.”
The annual Professional Development Conference was held on July 13th in Abilene. Patton said the success of UTPB SBDC is thanks to the incredible staff, the support they have received from the University, and Dr. Steve Beach, UTPB College of Business Dean.
“This award was recognition after a true team effort in 2022 which resulted in the UTPB-SBDC team exceeding all its goals and for client survey results,” added Patton.
“It has been a long, solid stretch of outstanding results built on a collaborative attitude from the team at the CEED building. The impressive service of the SBDC to the Permian Basin makes a big difference to our community,” said Dr. Beach.
In addition to their award, SBDC employees were also recognized at the conference. Kathleen McNeil was awarded her five-year anniversary plaque and Danny Castro was honored as the Business Consultant in the region with the most consulting hours in 2022.
This past year, UTPB SBDC has greatly impacted the region by working with hundreds of clients and dozens of businesses.
“As a team we help our clients qualify for more than $15 million in capital formation. We worked with 400 clients last year and helped open 39 businesses in the Permian Basin which created more than 238 new jobs.”
Moving forward, the new goals for the SBDC will be to develop more long-term consulting relationships with the business community.
“We now have GrowthWheel as a tool we can use to meet this goal. We will also emphasize making more appearances in the rural communities of the Permian Basin.”
Learn more about the SBDC here: https://www.utpbsbdc.org/
