NMC considers merger of small business development programs

Northern Marianas College is re-assessing the programs offered by the Small Business Development Center and is looking at merging its programs with the Community Development Institute.

The college said the SBDC was not suspended or eliminated but the limited financial resources, exacerbated by the discontinuation of federal grants, led to the suspension of “some” programs, including the business incubator and the youth entrepreneurship programs.

“The SBDC has continued, however, to partner with other agencies to offer free workshops that educate participants about topics like time management, financial projections, and business computer software,” NMC said in a statement yesterday.

Among the partner agencies, the college said, is the Commonwealth Development Authority.

CDA acting executive director Oscar Camacho declined to comment on the SBDC issue.

NMC admitted that the most recent workshops held at the center were in June 2008.

In a visit to the campus, the former SBDC building was converted to classrooms for carpentry sessions.

Upon its opening in 1993, the SBDC launched the Client Counseling and Workshop and Seminar programs. In 2001, it additionally created the Women-In-Business program, followed by the Youth Entrepreneurship program in 2004.

All these program’s services are currently “unavailable” at the campus.

“The college is currently reassessing the offerings customarily offered by the SBDC and is examining current market needs through heightened dialogue with representatives from business and government leaders. In this regard, the college plans to step up SBDC’s services through its Community Development Institute, a division in the college’s Community Programs and Services Departments,” the NMC statement said.

The services being re-assessed include short-term classes, training workshops, certificate programs, business planning and counseling sessions, and customized academic and professional seminars that are responsive to current market needs.

The college said they will tap the business faculty members to teach some of these courses.

“We recognize that small businesses play a central role in the economic health of the CNMI,” said NMC Board of Regent chair Charles Cepeda. “That is why the college is committed to providing the training and resources necessary to encourage entrepreneurship and to assist private businesses thrive.”

Fernandez yesterday assured high-quality services will be offered at the college.

“In the coming months you will see NMC offer high quality, flexible training opportunities that are employer focused and meet the skills and qualification needs identified by employers,” said Fernandez, adding that “we are also looking into the possibility of reinstituting the U.S. SBDC program funded by the federal government.”