Small Business Development Center earns honor
The University of Central Oklahoma office of the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center has been named one of the top 10 small business development centers in the nation after winning the regional “Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award” from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
UCO’s development center office competed against small business development centers in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas for the award after winning a similar award on a state level.
The center, which helps those throughout central Oklahoma who want to start or expand a small business, is now in the running to win the national award, which would recognize it as the top small business development center in the country.
Susan Urbach, director of UCO’s development center office, believes they stood out from other centers because of their emphasis on pro-activity and innovative technology.
“We are so excited about this award. I believe that what makes us special is the fact that we focus very much on staying at the forefront of information and technology. By always embracing change and development, we can be as efficient as possible in assisting our clients,” she said.
“We strive to teach them how to go from young businesses to professional status by turning their ideas into professional realities. You might say we help give their ideas both wings and feet.”
James Faulconer, president of MIDI for Kids and a former professor of music theory and composition, wanted to start a business that helps children learn to problem-solve through music. He went to the OSBDC for help.
Today, he credits Urbach and the OSBDC for MIDI’s success, which is currently helping 1,500 students and has been noted by some major music instrument manufacturers as the nation’s largest independent after-school music program.
“With Susan’s help, we now have programs in nearly 100 schools in five states and our Web site organization is truly amazing,” Faulconer said. “Oklahoma is really fortunate to have the devotion to purpose and inspirational guidance available through OSBDC. Without Susan and OSBDC, our business would simply not exist.”
UCO’s OSBDC is a bilingual organization that serves about 500 individual clients annually, helping the Oklahoma economy create 330 new jobs last year.
