SBA

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the major funder of the Missouri Small Business Development Centers. Through a cooperative agreement renewed annually via an application process, the University receives funding to support the MO SBDC program. The lead office then subcontracts to other state universities (see below) to operate the SBDC program on a local level. Through a separate SBA program, the MO SBDC also receives funding to support a Defense Economic Transition initiative to assist firms affected by changes in the defense market. In addition to support for the SBDC program, SBA provides funding for Women's Business Development Centers, veteran owned business development efforts, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, several guaranteed loan programs and an intensive research agenda.

EDA

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its mission is "To lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy." EDA's goal is to ensure that opportunities for economic development and entrepreneurism are available everywhere in the United States. To that end, EDA administers programs that assist distressed communities in attracting new industry, assist areas facing serious economic changes, provide research on economic development practices, support local economic developers with planning efforts, bring the expertise of universities into the local communities seeking to enhance economic development and help manufacturers and producers affected by increased imports.

The University of Missouri holds a contract for an EDA University Center, with staff supporting that center located at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Missouri-Rolla.

RMI, Inc.

Rural Missouri, Inc., now d/b/a Resources for Missouri, Inc., is a micro-loan program that began in the 1960s. RMI is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration to administer the SBA 504 loan program and the SBA Microloan Program. In addition to serving as a source for economic development financing, RMI also has an employment training program, for which it receives funding from the U.S. Department of Labor. It provides training to help low-income farm workers who are seasonally employed and wish to obtain full-time, permanent employment. RMI is also a sponsor of the missouribusiness.net website and the toll-free call center providing information and assistance to Missouri's entrepreneurs.

U.S. Bank

The MO SBDC is a partner with U.S. Bank in providing assistance for the SBA Community Express Loan program. MO SBDC counselors are available to assist clients in applying for this particular loan, which is a pilot SBA program offered to pre-designated geographic areas serving primarily low- and moderate-income markets. The SBDC provides the technical assistance to the loan applicants, thereby increasing their chances for success.

About Sponsorships:
If you would like to participate with us as a sponsor, help us provide assistance to Missouri's entrepreneurs, have access to thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurial information seekers each year, we would welcome your contribution and involvement.
Contact the MO SBDC state office at 573/884-1555.

University of Missouri Extension

University of Missouri-Columbia College of Engineering

University of Missouri-Kansas City

University of Missouri-St. Louis

Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University hosts the SBDC program in three locations – Maryville, St. Joseph and Chillicothe. The Northwest SBDC's geographical region covers 17 counties spanning from Atchison County, southward to Platte County and eastward to Livingston County. The University has hosted the SBDC since 1985.

University of Central Missouri

Located in Warrensburg, University of Central Missouri hosts the Small Business Development Centers program and has since the program's inception in Missouri in 1985. As an integral part of the UCM Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies and Development, the SBDC offers practical management and assistance to small business owners and managers. In addition, the UCM SBDC hosts the MoPAL operation that supports the SBDC through computer training; patent and product research; and depending upon client needs, specific client assistance in manufacturing, technology and design and development.

Truman State University

At Truman State University, the Small Business Development Center program is housed with the Division of Business and Accountancy. In addition to a core business curriculum, the division emphasizes communication skills in writing, speaking and team-building. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Truman State University as the Number One Public University in the Midwest.

Missouri State University

The SBDC at Missouri State University is housed within the College of Business and offers a variety of opportunities for students to be involved in client projects and consultation. SMSU offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and more than 50 graduate programs. Located in Springfield, SMSU educates individuals from both rural and urban settings and carries a focus in public affairs throughout its curriculum.

Missouri Southern State University

Missouri Southern State University in Joplin is a comprehensive university offering programs leading to the bachelor's degree. The University also offers continuing education courses and a number of two-year programs in technical and vocational areas for the benefit of the community. The University has a strong commitment to international education, to the liberal arts, to professional and preprofessional programs and to a complementary relationship between lifelong learning and professional education. The SBDC is housed in the College of Business Administration.

Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate educational opportunities. SEMO emphasizes experiential learning and offers students a variety of mechanisms for involvement in learning opportunities outside the classroom. The SBDC is no exception. Southeast prides itself on its facilities, including the recently constructed Robert A. Dempster Hall, home of the Donald L. Harrison College of Business , and the Otto and Della Seabaugh Polytechnic Building, which houses the SBDC.

University of Missouri-Columbia College of Business

Missouri Department of Economic Development

The Department of Economic Development administers a wide array of programs designed to enhance Missouri's economy in the 21st century. It is composed of agencies that execute statutory requirements and department policy in the areas of community, economic and workforce development, as well as the regulation of financial institutions, utility companies and various licensed professionals. The University of Missouri partners with the department in a variety of initiatives on the statewide and local level, including the missouribusiness.net call center housed at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Greater St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone

The Greater St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone strives to be a model of regional collaboration through cooperative community action. The group provides financial and technical assistance in the areas of community development, business and workforce development and commercial and industrial development. The Empowerment Zone also offers a variety of tax credit programs to encourage business development in its geographic area. One of the St. Louis Regional SBDCs and the St. Louis Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Program office for east central Missouri are housed in the Empowerment Zone offices in downtown St. Louis, and the Empowerment Zone provides funding for the SBDC operation as part of providing a wide array of services for its clients in the metropolitan areas.

St. Louis County Economic Council Enterprise Centers

The St. Louis County Economic Council Enterprise Centers, which house offices of the Missouri Small Business Development Centers, the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers and the Missouri SBIR/STTR assistance centers, serve as business incubators for more than 50 companies in the St. Louis region. The centers include four state-of-the-art facilities that provide client companies with a host of on-site amenities. MO SBDC staff often serve on the incubator review boards and provide a variety of technical assistance services to incubator clients.

Economic Development Center of St. Charles County

The Economic Development Center of St. Charles County is home to an office of the St. Louis Regional SBDC and serves as a non-profit business incubator to assist in the development of small businesses. The facility includes office space, manufacturing space, conference rooms and a variety of support services. The EDC offers technical assistance, financing and other management counsel to help emerging companies.

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation works with partners, such as the University of Missouri business development programs, to encourage entrepreneurship. The Foundation provides financial support for a variety of educational and technical assistance efforts. In Missouri, the Missouri Small Business Development Centers are the primary provider of the FastTrac curriculum for business planning that was originally developed by the Kauffman Foundation. The Foundation funds efforts by the SBDC to deliver and market the program.

Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the federal agency charged with tax collection and tax law enforcement. In addition to providing the University of Missouri business development programs with the IRS Small Business Resource Guide each year (along with updates), the agency has assisted with materials found in the Small Business Start-Up Kit.