Mayor Grebien Announces Partnership with RI Small Business Development Center
Pawtucket ??? Today, Mayor Donald R. Grebien and the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (SBDC) announced a partnership to provide assistance to existing and prospective entrepreneurs. The SBDC will have a satellite office at City Hall and host office hours on Mondays for private, no-cost counseling sessions and specialty topic training programs. The City of Pawtucket is the first municipality to host a SBDC satellite office at its City Hall.????
???Pawtucket is here to help our local businesses in any way possible,??? said Mayor Grebien. ???A number of years ago, we created a one-stop-shop for business permitting, and we continue to grow our efforts to help business set themselves up for success.???
???The RI Small Business Development Center is pleased to work with Pawtucket and their local businesses to assist them in developing strategic business plans, preparing financial projections and accessing the capital they need to grow,??? said Edward Huttenhower, State Director of the SBDC.????
The partnership will enable business owners to access both the SBDC and the City???s economic development staff during their visit.??The City???s economic development team will be available to discuss its economic development incentives and loan programs.??In addition, the City and SBDC will work closely with commercial lenders??and the??U.S. Small Business Administration to advise existing and start-up businesses about traditional and alternative financing options.
The SBDC has been providing its services in the state since 1983 and has been housed at the University of Rhode Island since 2014. It is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration as well as the Rhode Island General Assembly. Its mission is to strengthen small businesses by providing business assistance to both existing and prospective entrepreneurs.????
Businesses can schedule an appointment by calling 401-474-6998.