SBA seeks host for development center

The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued a request for proposals to find a new host institution for the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center. The RISBDC has been based at Bryant University since 1982.

The Small Business Development Center program is the nation’s largest government-funded small business management and technical assistance program, with 63 lead centers and more than 900 service delivery points throughout the United States and its territories.

“The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center has played an important role in assisting thousands of small businesses in Rhode Island,” said Mark S. Hayward, director of the SBA Rhode Island District Office. “The partnership between SBA and Bryant University has been very positive and I appreciate Bryant’s desire to pursue new strategic academic and international directions.”

The host organization receives a $500,000 annual matching grant to serve entrepreneurs throughout Rhode Island. Eligible organizations include public or private institutions of higher education; land-grant colleges and universities; colleges and schools of business engineering, commerce or agriculture; community and junior colleges; and currently funded SBA women’s business centers.

Interested organizations can learn more about this opportunity by attending a Bidders Conference to be held at the SBA Rhode Island District office, 390 Westminster Street, Providence on Tuesday, January 31 at 1 p.m. in room 511. For more information or to register for the conference, call the SBA at (401) 528-4561.