Agenda Item for Board meeting of: March 6, 2007
Title:
Ratify Grant Application to the California
Community Colleges Chancellor's Office for a
Small Business Development Center
Number:
C.5
Area:
Status:
'Superintendent/President
Consent Action
Information:
Hartnell College has applied for a grant of $85,000 from the California Community Colleges
Chancellor's Office to fund the first six months of a Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
This project has already received a pledge of support of $150,000 from the SBDC at DC Merced.
Hartnell College's SBDC will serve eastern/central Monterey, San Benito, and southern Santa Clara
counties; all part of CCCCO Region V, the Central Region. The Hartnell SBDC will help support
the statewide initiative and mission by assisting prospective and existing small business owners in
starting, retaining, or expanding their businesses, thus strengthening the regional and state economy
and increasing the quality of life. The Hartnell SBDC will work in partnership with the statewide
initiative as well as with SBDC’s in the Central Region. The Hartnell SBDC's focus will be in delivering
one-on-one business counseling and technical assistance with' special emphasis in such areas as international
trade; computer applications; business automation; management; marketing; financing; accounting;
strategic planning; regulations including environmental compliance; taxation; capital formation;
human resource management; production; operations; economic and business data analysis; business law;
and site selection. The Hartnell SBDC will work out of rented office space to be located in or near downtown Salinas.
Personnel:
No new, regular district personnel will be hired to support this grant. The grant will fund a fulltime project director,
senior program specialist, and three-five business consultants who will help deliver business counseling and training to
small business owners.
Budget Implication:
No general fund monies will be used to implement this grant. Project-related activities will be supported through grant
funds. Grant funds will support personnel, consultants, office space, marketing, training materials, supplies, computer
equipment, travel, and evaluation.
Recommendation:
That the Board of Trustees ratify this grant application to the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office for a
Small Business Development Center.