The University of Louisiana at Monroe Small Business Development Center (ULM SDBC), a member of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) network, provides management and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in twelve parishes in northeast Louisiana.

The SBDC's, along with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, help small business grow and succeed. The SBDC links the resources of network members with those of local, state, and federal agencies and the private sector to aid small business.

Assistance is available to assist start-ups and strengthen existing small businesses. The ULM SBDC provides the following services to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses and small business owners who are presently operating small businesses:
  • Short term and long term One-on-one Counseling
  • Continuing Education
  • Information Resource Center
In addition to experienced, well-trained staff members, the Center utilizes the faculty and student resources of ULM as well as private sector consultants and volunteers. To look at the workshop schedule or schedule an appointment, click here.
Management and technical assistance services are provided at no charge. Charges may be made to recover client-approved direct cost for items such as printing, postage, etc. A small fee may be charged for workships and seminars.
Mission:
To provide an outreach support system for entrepreneurs who want to start a new venture and
small business owners who want to expand their businessor manage their business better.
Goals:
  1. Provide entrepreneurs and small business owners opportunities to learn more about starting and managing their small business;
  2. Provide entrepreneurs and small business owners management and technical assistance in planning, implementing, and controlling their ventures;
  3. Provide a research support system to generate information for entrepreneurs and small businesspeople related to starting and managing small businesses and for the economic development community to support the economic development and diversification of Northeast Louisiana .
ULM SBDC Assistance Coverage Area:
Caldwell
Madison
Catahoula
Morehouse
Concordia
Ouachita
East Carrol
Richland
Franklin
Tensas
Lasalle
West Carrol

Strategies:

  1. Provide relevant high quality continuing education programs for entrepreneurs, small businesspeople and their employees regarding good entrepreneurial management practices;
  2. Provide high quality one-on-one counseling, short-term or long-term, for entrepreneurs, small businesspeople and their employees in starting and managing their venture;
  3. Provide high quality information to entrepreneurs, small business owners and employees, and to the economic development community.

General Information:

INTRODUCTION
The University of Louisiana at Monroe Small Business Development Center (ULM SBDC) serves twelve parishes in Northeast Louisiana by providing relevant continuing education programs, one-on-one counseling, and specialized managerial and technical assistance for the small business community. The purpose of the center is to provide ediucation, counseling, and technical assistance to entrepreneurs individuals who are planning to start a new venture or existing entrepreneurial managers who want to expand or manage their business better.
The ULM SBDC is a member of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center consortium. The SBDCs, along with the Louisiana Department of Commerce, help small businesspeople throughout Louisiana. The objective of the SBDC program is to provide high quality management and technical assistance to Northeast Louisiana entrepreneurs and small business owners by linking the resources of consortium members with those of local, state, and federal agencies and the private sector to aid small businesses.

QUALIFICATIONS
The ULM SBDC serves entrepreneurs and existing small business owner and managers of small businesses. The size of the businesses served must be within the standards set by the Small Business Administration's definition of a small business. Small businesses are generally considered firms with fewer than 500 employees..,

CHARGES
The services of SBDC counselors and staff are provided at no charge. Charges may be made to recover client approved direct costs for items such as printing, postage, computer time, etc. A small fee may be charged for workshops or seminars.

DISCLOSURE
The full disclosure of financial and/or other proprietory information to the SBDC by the client is usually essential for counselors to provide effective assistance. All information received and developed in the course of counseling by the SBDC staff will be kept in strict confidence and will not be divulged.