- Date published
Springfield, Missouri — The Missouri Small Business Development Center (MO SBDC) at Missouri State University (MSU) in response to business disruption from the COVID-19 virus in southwest Missouri has reached another formal partnership agreement with Show Me Christian County. The goal of this new partnership is to expand outreach to entrepreneurs in Christian County 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, Show Me Christian County will be part of the Missouri SBDC at MSU providing one-on-one services and training programs to local businesses throughout the community. This is the third agreement the Missouri SBDC has entered into in response to COVID-19. These partnerships utilize existing resources throughout the Southwest Region and leverage them to provide additional support to small businesses, which further supports economic development.
Greg Tucker, Missouri SBDC State Director says, “Local businesses are so important to this community. 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.” For more information on the SBDC at MSU in Springfield, visit: https://sbdc.missouristate.edu/
Show Me Christian County (SMCC) is a holistic economic development organization serving Nixa and Ozark, along with all the municipalities in Christian County. Built as much more than a resource for businesses; SMCC is a partnership, the voice of growth and opportunity for every business, employee, family, and resident of Christian County. “Regionalism is our key to success in Southwest Missouri,” Andrea Sitzes, President & CEO of Show Me Christian County said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Missouri SBDC at MSU and provide the best service for Christian County businesses. Having the ability to link arms and share resources between our two organizations will add phenomenal value to our local economy as we work together to fortify Christian County.” For more information about SMCC’s services, visit: www.showmeccmo.com.
According to Chrystal Irons, Missouri SBDC Director at Missouri State University, “The Missouri SBDC at MSU has worked closely with Show Me Christian County to support existing businesses in the area. In these unprecedented economic times we continue to look for ways to provide expanded outreach and services to the large numbers of new clients we’ve been assisting, due to the COVID outbreak and temporary business closures. Show Me Christian County does a great job connecting with and supporting businesses and we look forward to the additional assistance we will be able to offer as the result of this partnership.”
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.
