Businesses Benefit from SCORE and SBDC Agreement

CAMARILLO, CA, May 24, 2012 (Press-News.org) Startups and growing businesses have long benefited from business assistance services from the EDC-VC's Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties and Ventura County SCORE. Now the two nonprofit organizations are partnering to better serve area businesses through collaboration and leveraging complementary resources.

The memorandum of understanding between Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County's SBDC and SCORE will improve outreach to businesses, increase communication, and utilize the resulting comprehensive roster of advisors with specialized skills to help with businesses' advising, training and mentoring needs.

For the partnership, SBDC will refer pre-venture and startup clients to SCORE. In turn, SCORE will refer clients as needed and will recruit SBDC advisors to support SCORE and its clients when performing extended services to more advanced businesses. The organizations will work closely together in client meetings and hold quarterly meetings to review performance and goals.

"SCORE is a great asset to the business community," said Ray Bowman, director of the Economic Development's SBDC. "By formalizing our relationship, we can remove any duplication of efforts and build on each other's expertise for our clients."

"Both organizations have expert business veterans who can assist businesses. With SCORE working with SBDC, we have a more comprehensive bank of experts to draw from, which will greatly benefit startups through established businesses," adds Larry Willett, Ventura County SCORE chapter chair.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. The organization is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), has a network of 13,000+ volunteers to deliver services free or at very low cost. For more information, visit http://www.ventura.score.org.

EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center, loan programs, Manufacturing Outreach Program, and international trade program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24 or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit http://www.edc-vc.com.

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