<div class="topimage"> <div class="image p70"> <img src="images/uploads/20170316/UHVSBDC-jaX-2017.jpg"> </div> <div class="cutline"> Staff members from the University of Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Center get ready to take part in Wednesday�s first national SBDC Day. </div> </div> <p>The America�s Small Business Development Center Network is gearing up to celebrate the national impact of SBDCs nationwide, and the University of Houston-Victoria SBDC is ready to share in its success. </p> <p>Since 1980, America�s SBDCs � the nation�s largest business assistance network � have helped aspiring and emerging small business owners achieve the American dream of entrepreneurship. With nearly 1,000 locations across the country, SBDCs provide local businesses and entrepreneurs the resources needed to succeed. </p> <p>To celebrate the collective impact and success SBDCs have across the nation and in local communities each year, America�s SBDCs will hold the first SBDC Day on Wednesday. SBDC Day is a national movement to help share the small business success stories and notable impact SBDCs have fostered in communities nationwide. </p> <p>�We are thrilled to see SBDCs around the country working together to celebrate their clients and showcase the work they do for America�s small businesses,� said Charles �Tee� Rowe, America�s SBDC president and CEO. �SBDC clients see an average job growth of 15.5 percent versus the national job growth average of just 1.9 percent. There is no denying the impact SBDCs have on the success of the small businesses in their communities and their local economies.� </p> <p>The UHV SBDC will be part of the national celebration. The center was established in November 1985 and originally was called the Small Business Institute. Since its beginning, the center has served 4,519 clients, helped start 891 businesses, assisted businesses in creating 2,778 jobs and retaining 3,904 jobs, and helped businesses acquire $176.5 million in capital infusion. </p> <p>The increase in sales for businesses the UHV SBDC has assisted is $123.4 million. In addition, the UHV SBDC has offered 1,276 seminars, workshops and events designed to help business owners obtain knowledge and skills to be successful. </p> <p>�The SBDC is committed to helping our businesses succeed every day,� UHV SBDC Director Joe Humphreys said. </p> <p>Participants are encouraged to share how the UHV SBDC has created a difference in their lives and communities using the hashtag #SBDCDay. SBDCs nationwide will collectively share, in real time, the success stories and notable impacts SBDCs have on the small business community at large. </p> <p>�SBDC Day is more than a one-day event,� said Michael W. Myhre, America�s SBDC board chairman. �By celebrating small businesses and supporting SBDCs on SBDC Day and year-round, everyone can play a part in strengthening our nation�s economy.� </p> <p>To learn more about SBDC Day and to join the movement, visit <a href="http://www.americassbdc.org/SBDCDay" target="_blank">www.AmericasSBDC.org/SBDCDay</a>. </p> <p>The UHV SBDC offers counseling, training and technical assistance to existing and start-up businesses in an 11-county area. To make an appointment for business services or register for a UHV SBDC workshop, call the center at 361-485-4485 or email <a href="mailto:sbdc@uhv.edu">sbdc@uhv.edu</a>. </p>