Nevada Small Business Development Center satellite office opens in Fernley

The city of Fernley has its very own Small Business Development Center (SBDC) satellite office.

The Nevada Small Business Development Center is a statewide business assistance outreach program of the University of Nevada, Reno, College of Business and the U.S. Small Business Administration. It provides a wide variety of technical assistance to support Nevada Business. The Nevada SBDC will provide essential business services for residents and businesses in the city of Fernley Business & Entrepreneur Technology (BET) Center located in City Hall.

Nevada SBDC is dedicated to coordinating and providing free, confidential consulting and training programs to support small businesses in achieving goals. With Nevada SBDC services, entrepreneurs and small businesses have access to experts in the regulatory, management, financial and marketing fields.

“Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the foundation for innovation and growth in our city and represent more than a quarter of new jobs,” said Mayor LeRoy Goodman. “Most of the 600 businesses in Fernley are small businesses and as the city continues to grow, the NSBDC will serve as a hub for supporting that innovation and growth.” The BET Center NSBDC Satellite Office was established in partnership with the City of Fernley, Churchill County Economic Development Authority which is a NSBDC partner and the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

At this time, the NSBDC satellite office operates on a part-time basis. Free consulting services are available by appointment on Mondays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Other appointment times may be arranged. Contact Churchill County Economic Development Authority at 775-423-8587, or by email at kim@ceda-nv.org.

The SBDC satellite office is the newest of a growing number of resources offered at the BET Center in Fernley City Hall. The BET Center has also been a long-time home for the Western Nevada College satellite campus, Nevada Job Connect satellite office, job fairs and programs and services focusing on education, job skills and employment search assistance, resources, referrals, information and neighborhood engagement. For information on the city of Fernley BET Center, contact Leslieann Hayden at 775-784-9851.

Free confidential counseling

The Nevada SBDC’s professional counseling services are available free of charge to small business owners and prospective small business owners. While the definition of a small business varies depending on industry, 98% of all firms in the state of Nevada are qualified as small businesses and therefore, qualify for this program. Nevada SBDC clients are counseled by professionals who utilize their educational and business experience to provide practical, relevant advice. Counselors for the Nevada SBDC office include the following:

Full time NSBDC Business Development Specialists

Private Consultants such as CPAs, business owners & trade association members

University faculty

Retired executives (SCORE — Service Corps of Retired Executives)