CEDA, SBDC assist 28 small businesses

Numbers released by the Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC) showed the Churchill Economic Development Authority, working through SBDC, assisted with the start of 28 businesses during the past year in Churchill County and Fernley.

That total was second only to the Reno SBDC office that assisted with 48 business starts.

“This is an indicator people are feeling more confident,” said Rachel Dahl, executive director of CEDA. “Between the Chamber of Commerce, us and the college, there is a real movement and energy n this environment that is supportive.”

Statewide, SBDC offices assisted with a combined 125 starts after setting a goal to start 113 businesses statewide in the year. The local startups, combined with the other SBDC support activities, created 24 new jobs, retained 34 other jobs and secured over $2.5 million in financing for the local businesses in Churchill County and Fernley.

These outcomes are the result of 805 hours spent by the SBDC counselors in the CEDA office with 125 clients, at least 77 of who were new to SBDC this year.

Dahl said her office offers a Business 101 structure to help people overcome some of the risks of starting a business. Furthermore, she said local government is supportive of making the process to obtain the needed forms as easy as possible.

“Small businesses are important in this community, and we should support each other,” she said. “When we support each other, we are all stronger.”

Dahl, though, said people are apprehensive of the increased state regulation and political climate in starting a business, especially larger firms.

“All the regulations coming along can be intimidating, but w help people through the process,” she said. “We need to get back to the basics with a strong business plan.”

CEDA is the local authority that attracts, develops, and retains business and industry to benefit Fallon and Churchill County. The Nevada SBDC program is a partnership program between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of Nevada, Reno.

Anyone interested in starting a business or who is currently running a small business and is interested in assistance is encouraged to call the Fallon SBDC office at 775-423-8587.