- Date published
The Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Missouri State University (MSU) in response to business disruption from the COVID-19 virus in southwest Missouri has reached an agreement with the Taney County Partnership (TCP). The goal of this new partnership is to expand outreach to entrepreneurs throughout southwest Missouri to help maintain the vitality of small businesses that support our local economies, and to specifically offset the impact of the COVID-19 business disruptions. Through this partnership which extends through March 2021, Taney County Partnership will be part of the Missouri SBDC at MSU providing one-on-one services and training programs to local businesses throughout the community.
Greg Tucker, Missouri SBDC State Director says, “Local businesses are so important to this community and the tourism of our state. With funding support through the CARES Act the Missouri SBDC is excited for the opportunity to expand business counseling and training services with this partnership.”
Taney County Partnership (TCP) is a public/private partnership focusing on the economic development efforts in Taney County, Missouri. The partnership is made up of Taney County, the incorporated cities and villages in the county, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and a dedicated group of business sector stakeholders. TCP has a focus on three key areas: business retention and expansion, workforce development and business/industry attraction & marketing.
TCP will work closely with SBDC regional consultants from the Missouri SBDC office on MSU’s main campus. According to Jonas Arjes, TCP Executive Director, “We at Taney County Partnership and the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce are pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Missouri SBDC at MSU to provide critical business services to employers in the region.”
According to Chrystal Irons, SBDC Director at Missouri State, “The Missouri SBDC at MSU has had a great working relationship with the TCP for years and we have partnered with their organization on various projects. However, in these unprecedented economic times we were looking for ways to provide expanded outreach and services to the large number of new and existing clients we’ve been assisting, due to the COVID outbreak and temporary business closures. We look forward to the additional assistance we will be able to offer as the result of this more formal partnership agreement.”
About the SBDC
The Missouri SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Missouri SBDC at MSU delivers up-to-date consultation, training, and technical assistance in all aspects of small business management. Assistance is available to owners interested in improving or expanding an existing small business and to prospective business owners. The Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University is a University of Missouri Extension partner.
