The Center for Business Development at Seminole State College supports the creation of new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses as a community-based provider of training, consulting, resources, referrals, and support. The Center has provided these services through a variety of programs since 1993, including:

• Small Business Development Center (SBDC);
• Seminole Advisory Board Council;
• Business Incubation Program;
• Contract Training/Continuing Education; and
• Quick Response Training grants.

In order to expand services specifically focused on  businesses owned by women, the Center initially planned to launch a Women's Entrepreneur Program in 2021. However, the opening was delayed due to the pandemic. Seminole State is currently finalizing the infrastructure and mentorship services under the umbrella of this program. The official in-person launch is expected in FY2022. 

In addition to performing their usual small business support services, the Center for Business Development is also committed to helping the business community through the economic hardships due to COVID-19. The office offered all services virtually, to comply with social distancing protocols, and took on additional responsibilities to assist local, state, and federal agencies in providing much needed support.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Seminole State College, is state designated as Florida's Principal Provider of Business Assistance. The team worked tirelessly to guide businesses as they applied for COVID related loans. The team provided support to businesses who applied for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and they worked with financial institutions to finalize the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) process for the small business community.

The Center for Business Development assisted the county with the Seminole County ARPA Small Business Grants. The team guided and assisted business owners with preparing Profit and Loss (P&L) statements, which were the most difficult documents for many small businesses to provide during the grant process.

Since 2000, the Center has served more than 5,300 clients, hosted 500+ events with over 6,100 attendees, and awarded $8.6M in Quick Response Training grants. Over the course of FY2020/21, The Center awarded $84,000 in Quick Response Training grants, served 130 clients, hosted nine events with 208 attendees, trained 21 individuals, and supported eight business start-ups, which resulted in the creation of 213 new jobs.

Seminole County began supporting this program in FY2002/03 with a grant of $100,000. This commitment was increased to $150,000 in FY2005/06 and to $175,000 in FY2019/20.

The funding assistance requested is $175,000 for FY2021/22; $175,000 for FY2022/23; and $175,000 for FY2023/24, totaling $525,000 over three (3) years, to further Seminole County's economic development goals and supplement services that are not provided by Seminole County Economic Development.

The requested amount of $175,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2021/22 Budget for this agreement.