Our History

In 1979 funding of $2.4 million was provided to 16 Small Business Development Centers, with the addition of Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah and Washington to the SBDC program as it was called. Assistance to any one state was capped at $300,000.

The University of Utah (UOU) became the Utah SBDC lead center host and continued in that role until 1996. During that time nine service centers were established throughout the state all hosted by institutions of higher education. In 1996, Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) became the lead center host and the program grew from nine service centers to twelve. During that time the Utah SBDC established itself as a leader in small business development and continued demonstrating its impact on the state’s economy through the counseling and training it provided.

On April 1, 2016, Utah State University (USU) became the lead center host to a network that had grown to fifteen service centers. Prior to becoming the lead center host, USU played a significant role in the program by hosting several service centers throughout the state. Having the land grant institution at the helm of the program brings strength and credibility to the entire network. The Utah SBDC budget has grown to $2.8 million and it continues to provide a Return on Investment (ROI).

Today the Utah SBDC continues to be a leader helping small business owners start, own and operate successful small businesses. The Utah SBDC demonstrates significant impact on the state’s economy through job creation, small business starts, small business loans, and state and federal tax revenues generated.