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America’s SBDCs help make the dream of small business ownership a reality for more Americans — creating jobs and opportunities that build communities throughout the nation.
See how the Rhode Island SBDC has served its communities.
Relationships come and go in business but our relationship with RI SBDC has stood the test of time — and really become a friendship — because they are truly committed to our success and in it for the long-term with us.
Mike Hallock, CEO, RI Mushroom
Outreach to Spanish Speaking Small Business Community
Juan Lantigua, owner of the Family Cake and RI SBA Minority Small Business for 2020, promotes the RISBDC Spanish Facebook page.
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Rhode Island businesses assisted at food incubator, Hope and Main, in Warren RI.
RISBDC Develops Export Readiness Webinar
In conjunction with the Chafee Center for International Business, the RISBDC developed a webinar on export readiness for businesses looking at starting international trade.
2,423
2,423
Registrants for 33 webinars on digital marketing, e-commerce and social media to pivot businesses.
Gerbs Increases Sales Significantly Because of Pandemic
Gerbs Allergy Friendly Foods is a Rhode Island manufacturer of healthy snack foods. Due to the high demand, they saw their 2020 Q1 sales increase by 81% compared to 2019. Even during these challenging times and uncertainty caused by COVID-19 crisis in small business community, Gerbs is one of the few RI local manufactures to stay steady and add to the local economy. Gerbs is #RIStrong and feel committed to their customers and community more than ever.
Smoke & Squeal has been lucky to expand as much as it has, and I would [attribute] it to the fact that we are constantly evolving. Thanks to business support groups, like the RISBDC I have stayed on track with each twist and turn.
Adam Batchelder, owner Smoke & Squeal, winner SBA Veteran Small Business of the Year 2020
Bodhi Spa Opens Second Location
The team at Bodhi came to RI SBDC for help putting together their loan package for their second location. In their words, "the resources were amazing to assist with putting business projections together that helped us present our best foot forward to lenders." And, bottom line, it worked: the team was able to secure an SBA loan to fund their new location. The location in Providence opened in October 2020
RISBDC Collaborates to work with Seafood/Fisheries Sector
Rhode Island's seafood sector has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. But this crisis has also opened new innovations and opportunities. The Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island (CFCRI) has partnered with the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC) to provide free consulting to fishermen and seafood businesses. Known as "Fish Forward", this new program has been established to help the community recover and then thrive in the long-term.
