To the editor:

On SBDC Day (March 20) we, the Southwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC), are excited to celebrated the significant contributions of SBDCs across the country, including our own. Led by Christine Fischer, our Regional Director, the Southwest Minnesota SBDC is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners in our region.

Did you know that there are 533,334 small businesses in Minnesota, accounting for 99.5% of the state’s total businesses (SBA)? This statistic underscores the vital role that SBDCs play in fostering small business ownership and economic growth. At the Southwest Minnesota SBDC, we are committed to providing assistance to entrepreneurs starting up their businesses and addressing any financial concerns they may have. Our goal is to empower small businesses and contribute to the prosperity of our community. We serve 18 counties in Southwest Minnesota; our offices are located at Southwest State University and can be reached at 507.537.7386 or sbdc@smsu.edu.

We invite our community to join us in celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit and the invaluable support provided by SBDCs. Together, let’s continue to support small businesses in Minnesota by patronizing local establishments, spreading awareness about their products and services, participating in community events that promote small businesses, and advocating for policies that create a conducive environment for their success.

Kris Boedigheimer

Marshall

— Kris Boedigheimer is SBDC Regional Associate Director in Marshall