NEW ULM — Through a partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)- South Central Region, the City of New Ulm will host business development consultants at City Hall. Starting in January, entrepreneurs, small business owners and those wanting to start a business can receive one-on-one consulting in a confidential setting right here in New Ulm.

The City recognizes the valuable service the SBDC provides in assisting business owners as they start, expand or enhance their businesses. Consultants are well versed local experts in financing, marketing, human resources, operations, business plan creation and other aspects of owning a business. In 2018, the SBDC provided over 600 hours of consulting to clients in the New Ulm area.

“We are excited to make our in-person resources even more accessible to entrepreneurs and business owners in the New Ulm area, said Julie Nelson, SBDC’s associate regional director. “We look forward to supporting the city’s business growth, retention and economic vitality.”

“I hope small businesses and entrepreneurs that already know about the SBDC find it even more convenient to access their services from a local office,” stated Jessica Janni, Retail Manager at Bank Midwest and current New Ulm Economic Development Authority member. “Small business is important to our community and this is another way to show that the EDA supports the value those business owners bring to our local economy.”In partnership with the City of New Ulm, SBDC consultants will be available in City Hall, 100 North Broadway, New Ulm, MN during certain days, quarterly in the New Ulm Public Library, 17 North Broadway, New Ulm, MN for Consultant Café and provide quarterly business training. Starting in 2020, consultants will be at City Hall on Tuesday, January 7 and 21. To reserve your time with a consultant, please call the SBDC at 507-389-8875. The first quarterly Consultant Café will be February 8. The first quarterly business training will be February 11 at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on BizLink North business succession tool piloted in Sibley County & Succession Planning. Location TBD.

To sign up for consultation services or the quarterly training, please contact the SBDC office at (507)389-8875 or info@myminesotabusiness.com. To apply for services, please sign up at the SBDC website at www.myminnesotabusiness.com.

About the Small Business Development Center

The South Central Minnesota SBDC is hosted at Minnesota State University, Mankato under its Strategic Partnerships Division. It serves the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca and Watonwan. The SBDC helps entrepreneurs start and grow businesses that succeed through no-cost confidential consulting, access to capital, and business education. In 2018 alone, the Center assisted 484 clients, delivered 5,200 hours of professional consulting, helped to launch 41 new businesses, and facilitated access to $16 million in capital, which was invested in our communities.