innovate arkansas

 For the third time in a row, UALR's Arkansas Small Business Development Center (ASBDC) has earned full accreditation from The Association of Small Business Development Centers, the national accrediting body for Small Business Development Centers.

The accreditation review process is based upon a strict set of standards guided by the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Awards to ensure that SBDC programs are operating efficiently and effectively.

A team composed of the leaders of the SBDC programs from other fully certified states conducted the Arkansas SBDC review.

"The review team was very impressed with the program and operation," said Dr. Jane Wayland, interim dean of the UALR College of Business. "The ASBDC is a critical service vehicle in Arkansas, and the individual consulting, market research, GIS services, and training highlight the help offered by the ASBDC to varied constituencies."

 The team assessed several areas of the program, including leadership and organizational management, the strategic planning process, client and stakeholder focus, service delivery and program performance. These standards ensure that the public investment in the program from the federal government, the state government and the host institutions results in strong returns for Arkansas' economy.

The team detailed several outstanding components of the ASBDC program, which include being a key player in the economic development strategies for the state of Arkansas, having a strong program to serve technology and innovation-based businesses, utilizing community-based partnerships, utilizing technology in delivery of services and operations, having strong university partnerships, and being recognized as a stable and strong SBDC program with a very low employee turnover rate and experienced senior leaders. 

"The review process occurs every four years," said ASBDC Executive Director Janet Roderick.  "We are thankful for the efforts of the review team and appreciate the opportunity this allows us to examine our capabilities.  The recommendations and feedback we receive out of this process will enable us to better serve small businesses and continue to grow the economy of Arkansas."

As the largest and most comprehensive statewide provider of entrepreneurial services, the ASBDC plays a unique and vital role in the state's economic development initiatives as the only organization that, in utilizing the expertise and resources of seven of the best public universities in the state, assists entrepreneurs in all stages of business and all industry sectors. Funding support from UALR, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the six SBDC regional office host institutions enables consulting services to be provided at no charge to the client. 

The ASBDC lead center is located at UALR with six regional offices located at Arkansas State University, College of Business in Jonesboro; Henderson State University, School of Business in Arkadelphia; Southern Arkansas University, College of Business in Magnolia; the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Sam M. Walton College of Business; University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, College of Business; and the University of Arkansas at Monticello, College of Technology located in McGehee.

Every year, the ASBDC has helped Arkansas entrepreneurs create thousands of jobs, sell millions of dollars of products and services, and generate millions of dollars in new tax revenues. For more information on the Arkansas Small Business Development Center's services and impact, visit http://www.asbdc.ualr.edu/media/.