UCDD Taking Over Small Business Development Center

The UCDD has moved a step closer to taking over day-to-day operations of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

The agency’s executive committee voted Wednesday to enter into an agreement with Tennessee Tech and MTSU. UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said he’s hoping to have a contract signed by the end of this month.

“As soon as I have that signed contract, we’re ready to start filling the director position,” Farley said. “We’ll be housing that at UCHRA, and hopefully we’ll hit the ground running and go from there.”

Farley said the UCDD would likely add a second position sometime in the near future.

“We just want to get the director up and going first,” Farley said. “And then let that person be a part of the hiring process for the person that’s going to be working with them.”

MTSU holds the statewide contract for the Tennessee Small Business Development Center. Tech housed the Cookeville center for several years under a partnership with MTSU. Farley said late last year that TTU no longer has the capacity to house the center.

“They’re going to turn that operation over to the Development District,” Farley said. “They actually approached us, thinking it would be a great fit with our revolving loan fund and all the work we’re already doing with businesses.”

The SBDC provides small business start-up services and assistance to existing small businesses. The Cookeville center serves Clay, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, and White counties.