Small Business Development

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The third Wednesday of the third month is recognized nationally as Small Business Development Center Day. 

Zanesville Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce President Dana Matz Explained what Small Business Development Centers are and how they can benefit small business owners by guiding them through different perspectives.

“We are very fortunate, we have a good partnership with a small business development center,” Matz said. “Locally the small business development center is ran out of the Ohio University Voinovich Center. And they have two contacts that serve this area. Cindy Voorhies and Tere Clapper. The importance of a small business development center for communities like ours is, somebody’s considering starting a business or has a small business or can be an existing business, it gives them an opportunity to improve themselves.”

Matz often refers his small, startup business clients to the small business development center to strategize and develop methods for success.

“The planning importance is; A, we have been working out of our garage and now it’s time to make it an official business,” Matz said. “Ok now we need to sit down and do the math. And I also like to use the term bankable. Now as you’ve been doing this small thing and now it’s going to become a real business. But now you need to spend some money. And if you just walk into a bank and say I want some money, they’re going to say where’s your business plan. Small business development center can help you create that business plan.”

Matz noted that small businesses are what drive the economy because they employ more people than the large businesses. The Small Business Development Center at Ohio University will be holding a training event next month. For more information, you can visit them online.