Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network

 

What services does the MSBDC Network provide?

  

Each year thousands of small businesses benefit from the advising and educational programs offered by the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network.

 
The MSBDC is the leader in providing small business owners and entrepreneurs in Massachusetts with the tools and guidance needed to become successful in today's challenging economic climate. We provide free and confidential one-to-one business advice to prospective and existing small businesses focusing on, business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance as well as strategic, marketing and operational analysis. In addition, low-cost educational training programs are offered across the state targeted to the needs of small business.

This is achieved through three integrated product lines:

  • Business Advisory Services

  • International Trade Assistance

  • Government Contracting

Services are delivered through a statewide network of skilled professionals supported by a vast network of federal, state, educational and private sector partners. With six regional offices and over 40 outreach locations across the state, services are available within 30-minutes of most potential clients in the state.

 
Business Advisory Services

A full-time staff of business advisors, supported by the resources of their host academic institutions, provides free business assistance to small businesses. Services are delivered statewide through a network of six regional centers located in Fall River, Newton, Pittsfield, Salem, Springfield and Worcester, as well as specialty resources—Massachusetts Export Center, Government Sales Advisory Program and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Services are not provided at the State Office.


 

Business Training

The MSBDC conducts free and low-cost seminars, workshops, webinars and conferences addressing a wide range of concerns for both startup and existing business businesses. Many of these programs are cosponsored with local chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, community development organizations, banks and trade associations. Topics range from how to start a business to exporting to learning to sell to the government.

 
 
Quality Control and Accountability    

The MSBDC places great importance on monitoring and measuring the quality and economic impact of the services that we provide. Below are measures that we have in place to ensure that we are focusing on our mission and delivering the best service possible to small businesses in Massachusetts.

  • Individual staff members are assigned annual deliverables across a number of different areas, including: number of clients assisted; number of direct business advisory hours provided to clients; number of long-term clients assisted; training programs organized; economic impact generated; and more.

  • Advisory staff members are required to receive at least 24 hours of professional development training each year to ensure that they are staying current on the latest business trends and issues affecting clients.

  • All clients are surveyed by the MSBDC State Office for overall satisfaction and quality control.

  • All clients receiving five or more hours of business assistance are surveyed annually by a third party researcher to gather economic impact.

  • Annual programmatic reviews are conducted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

  • Accreditation reviews are conducted every five years by the Association of Small Business Development Centers. Accreditation standards meet the Baldrige National Quality Program requirements.

  • Financial reviews are conducted every two years by SBA examiners.

 
 
Who is involved in the program?

The MSBDC is built on partnerships, including the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, higher educational institutions (University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clark University and Salem State University), as well as private organizations, economic development groups and local chambers of commerce.

   
 
How is the program structured?

The MSBDC is a statewide organization with six regional offices located strategically throughout Massachusetts, as well as two specialty centers — the Massachusetts Export Center and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center. MSBDC business advisors also deliver services through outreach sites, including chambers of commerce, community development corporations and economic development organizations.


What is the impact of the budget contributed by the Commonwealth to the MSBDC and why is it a good investment?

  • The MSBDC provided business assistance to 3,222 clients and training assistance to over 4,047 attendees in FY22.

  • The MSBDC secured over $139 million in financing for small business clients in FY22.

  • MSBDC services provided by the Massachusetts Export Center contributed to over $150 million in export sales in FY22.

  • MSBDC clients generated $10.8 million in total tax revenue ($2.4 million in federal tax revenue and $8.4 million in Massachusetts tax revenue). *

  • MSBDC advisory services contributed to over 3,200 jobs created and retained in Massachusetts based on financing secured for clients. *

  • MSBDC services provided by the Procurement Technical Assistance Center contributed to clients securing over $200 million in federal procurement contracts in state FY22.

* Figures based on results of a 2022 survey conducted by Dr. James Chrisman on the impact of MSBDC services received by clients receiving five or more hours of assistance in 2020.


View our latest impact and achievements.


 

Why are MSBDC services so important to the economy?

State revenues are dependent upon sales, income and employment taxes paid by small businesses. The MSBDC assists startup and existing businesses to manage cash flow, bolster revenue streams, and increase sales and employment which contribute to the economic growth and stability of the Commonwealth.

  

Mission Statement & Vision

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center fosters the start, growth and sustainability of small business by providing high-quality, in-depth advising, training and capital access.