MO SBTDC partners

Funding agencies

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 SBTDC program. The lead office then subcontracts to other state universities (see below) to operate the SBTDC program on a local level. Through a separate SBA program, the MO SBTDC 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 SBTDC 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.

Host Institutions - University of Missouri

University of Missouri Extension

University of Missouri Extension is the outreach arm of the University of Missouri system, charged with taking the university's research-based knowledge to the people of the state. University of Missouri Extension holds the contracts from the federal government for the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers and the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. Extension matches federal dollars and then subcontracts with other institutions for the delivery of the business development programs. The business development specialist field faculty are included in the SBTDC and PTAC initiatives. Extension's major focus areas, in addition to business development, are agriculture and natural resources, community development, continuing education, 4-H youth development and human environmental sciences.

University of Missouri College of Engineering

The MU College of Engineering is the academic home of the University's business development programs. Through encouraging faculty research and entrepreneurial opportunities, the College has made a serious commitment to economic development. The College provides engineering students and practicing professionals with expertise and knowledge to solve complex technological challenges; develops and utilizes technologies for teaching, research, service and outreach; prepares students and practicing professionals to compete in a global economy; and instills students with a commitment to life-long learning.

University of Missouri-Kansas City

At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the business development programs are hosted by the Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration. Specifically, UMKC hosts the Small Business Development Centers, the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers and the SBIR/STTR assistance centers. The school offers undergraduate and graduate education programs and practices a solid commitment to entrepreneurship through its teaching and student experiential learning opportunities.

Missouri University of Science and Technology

The University of Missouri-Rolla was founded in the 1870 as the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, the first technological university west of the Missouri River and one of the first in the nation. It is considered one of the premier universities for science, technology and engineering. In 1964, the School of Mines and Metallurgy became the University of Missouri-Rolla and now awards undergraduate and graduate degrees in 35 disciplines. At UMR, the business development programs are housed in the Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach in the School of Management and Information Systems, and include the SBTDC, PTAC and FAST programs.

University of Missouri-St. Louis

Within the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Business Continuing Education and Outreach is housed the entrepreneurship resource, which is a function of the University's business development efforts. Staffed by a full-time business specialist, the College houses certificate and non-credit programs in business management, human resources and supervision.

Host Institutions - other Missouri universities

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 SBTDC is housed in the College of Business Administration.

Missouri State University

The SBTDC 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. MSU offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and more than 50 graduate programs. Located in Springfield, MSU educates individuals from both rural and urban settings and carries a focus in public affairs throughout its curriculum.

Moberly Area Community College

Founded in 1927, Moberly Area Community College (MACC) has proudly delivered academic and technical educational opportunities to the citizens of northeast Missouri. Now located in seven towns throughout its 16 county service region, MACC hosts the SBTDC in the college's Entrepreneurship and Business Development Center in Moberly. With the addition of the SBTDC, Moberly Area Community College will continue to advance its mission of supporting and encouraging entrepreneurship and economic development in the communities it serves.

Northwest Missouri State University

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

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 SBTDC 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 SBTDC.

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.

University of Central Missouri

Located in Warrensburg, University of Central Missouri hosts the Small Business & Technology 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 SBTDC offers practical management and assistance to small business owners and managers. In addition, the UCM SBTDC hosts the MoPAL operation that supports the SBTDC through computer training; patent and product research; and depending upon client needs, specific client assistance in manufacturing, technology and design and development.

Other partners

Regional Economic Development, Inc.

REDI (Regional Economic Development, Inc.) is available to answer your economic development questions and help make Columbia and Boone County, Missouri, home to your business. REDI is a nonprofit, public/private partnership that works to provide increased economic opportunities for the area while maintaining a high quality of life.

REDI acts as a local point of contact for any company that requests information about Columbia and Boone County. In addition to providing available site and building information, comprehensive area demographics and labor availability studies, REDI organizes community tours, facilitates community leader introductions when prospective companies visit the area and acts as an ombudsman for local utilities and city government. REDI also provides customized state incentive proposals and coordinates the Chapter 100 Revenue Bond application process, working with prospective companies throughout the incentives process. REDI is also a satellite office for the Small Business & Technology Development Center that houses two SBTDC counselors.

University of Missouri College of Business

Located in Cornell Hall, the University of Missouri College of Business partners with the University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship by assigning MBA students to assist with business client cases, including research and technical assistance. In addition to educating students in areas of management, marketing, accounting and finance, the College hosts the Missouri Training Institute and the Missouri Innovation Center.

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 SBTDCs 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 SBTDC operation as part of providing a wide array of services for its clients in the metropolitan areas.

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 SBTDC 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 & Technology 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 SBTDC 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. The agency has assisted with materials found in the Small Business Start-Up Kit and updates shared in the MissouriBusiness.net monthly newsletter.